Just in case you had’nt heard, on the eve of April Fools Day a workprint of X-Men Origins: Wolverine found its way to the internet and hundreds of thousands of downloads occurred before 20th Century Fox could stop it. Though at first one might think “So what?” – there’s more at stake than just having a flick run free on the internet prior to its official release date.
When I first saw this, I held back. It was April Fool’s day. But as the hours passed, so did the proof that this was indeed real.
I shook my head in disbelief.
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How Can A Movie Get Leaked?
Does that really matter? There are so many different people that handle a DVD of a movie in post-production before it hits the theaters, it’s amazing we don’t see this more often.
With the number of folk who have access to a post-production version of a movie, when do the necessary additional security measures kick in that studios may have to take? Will those measures cost us, the fan, more in the end?
Sure we might grumble at the studios, but who is really to blame?
Have You Thought About the Little Guy?
I suppose that for some, the idea of seeing a movie before it’s actually released to the public is some sort of thrill (or something). While these folks gloat about having seen a film early (and illegally), I’m sure they don’t think about the impact their cumulative actions have on others.
The “others” are those people who put in 10 to 14 hour days over the course of a couple of years creating a movie. The “others” are also the second tier people who depend on a film to be released for their livelihoods… Movie theater owners/employees, for example.
For all these people, an advance pirate copy that makes it online dilutes the hard work they’ve put into something, and takes away from the “event” status of a big blockbuster release date. A release date that has had many countless hours of effort put towards deciding how to best present the culmination of all that hard work.
As this travesty went viral, Twitter.com was aflame with people stating that the Wolverine movie had found its way to the internet.
Some cheered at the travesty thrust upon Fox. I get where you’re coming from. Fox sure doesn’t have the best track record in how they’ve handled some franchises or other matters. But if you think this through, it’s just not Fox that gets hurt. It’s shameful to ponder the idea that we might really wish harm on a person’s livelihood.
So the buzz lit up big time.
Shortly thereafter folks were out there boasting about having grabbed some popcorn and sitting down to watch their newly stolen digital media.
Yes… I Said Stolen
If you go to the trouble of hunting down what you know is an illegal copy of the film, you knowingly stole it. And don’t tell me you didn’t know. To add insult to thievery, some of you were stupid enough to brag about it on various social networking sites. Good for you! Now at least if Fox and the FBI decide to pursue this legal issue to that level, you’ve made it very easy for them to find you. Even if you didn’t brag about it, you left a digital trail to the torrent files and subsequent activity is clear as day to the packet sniffers.
As it stands, the copy of the film that made its way online did not have the majority of its visual effects complete, had missing scenes and a temporary audio/music track. So I’m sure that made for an AWESOME viewing experience.
Some Actually Posted Reviews
To further implicate yourselves, you then thought you would be super cool and leave your reviews and opinions on what you saw on various bulletin boards and websites. Most website admins removed your misbegotten opinions, choosing instead to take the high road regarding this scenario. Good for them.
Fox stated in a press release on April 1st that the FBI and the MPAA are actively investigating this crime and that:
“The source of the initial leak and any subsequent postings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Oh yes. This little stunt can lead to some jail time. I have a feeling someone may find themselves with some new best friends fairly soon.
When All Is Said And Done
It seems that it may be pretty easy to track down who did this. Maybe instead of firing him or her, the studio should garnish their wages for all eternity for profits lost.
If you think it really doesn’t hurt studios, think of this: Eli Roth didn’t release Hostel: Part II in Mexico because it was already leaked there and you could buy it for twenty-five cents. What was the point of opening there then?
You think that if you alone “stole” a movie, who would it hurt? It adds up. One of my favorite examples of adding up is an article I wrote about saving electricity. If every light switch wielding person (estimated 211 million – it’s just a ball park for this example) in the U.S. left a light bulb burning in an empty room for only 5 minutes, as a collective, that adds up to around 2,000 years of wasted energy. It all adds up and we can make a difference.
In closing, Fox said this:
“We are encouraged by the support of fansites condemning piracy and this illegal posting and pointing out that such theft undermines the enormous efforts of the filmmakers and actors and, above all, hurts fans of the film”
We at Screen Rant will never support this kind of behavior and we will not tolerate anyone posting their own review or experience in the comments.
‘Nuff said?
Source: BBC News
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323 Comments
@ Ken J
“The only thing I have a gripe about is how theaters don’t let me bring in my own food.”
Hey man, I know it sounds weird but my local AMC movie theater has changed their policy and allows outside food and drinks. Eating chinese food during my last moviegoing experience was the best thing about it. Anyone else’s local theater allow outside food and drinks?
If I see something — I owe money. If I hear something -~ I owe money. If I say something -~ I owe money. If I benefit from someone else hearing, seeing, or saying something — I owe money. Entertainment Industry demands — I owe money. Why am I paying for misguided notions ?
@ High Kalibur
“Anyone that says: “I don’t care, stealing is stealing is stealing” — is biased and you have a much clouded view of reality. And in reality I mean the real world. In your ‘utopian view’ is ’stealing’ never acceptable? And to what end is this considered absolutely wrong? I highly doubt you are considering the global sociopolitical variables that effect society. These variables make ideological stances on issues such as this inadequate. It is easy for you, whoever you are, the United Sates citizen, living in one of, if not the fattest, laziest, most wasteful albeit monetarily plentiful economies in the global community to say that any and all forms of stealing are ‘wrong’ and should not go unpunished. Do you really think that is you were born in a Third World country it would be realistic to acquire the same absolutist stance?”
I don’t think comparing someone stealing for survival and someone stealing an intellectual property digitally are comparable on any scale or for any argument. That is not what most people are saying at all. Most here can afford to purchase DVD’s & movie tickets without having to resort to illegal downloading. It’s not stealing if you are dying of starvation or thirst, it’s survival and you do what you have to do to survive. This happening here has nothing to do with the sociopolitical issues that transpire in a third world country. I have been to several and it is heartbreaking to see such poverty and suffering. You make a lot of valid points and your post was great but to condemn those whose idealogy makes them believe stealing is stealing is just being mercurial and obtuse with your viewpoint. We are not all fat, lazy and wasteful. It’s easy to sling those insulting remarks around when you are hiding behind a computer.By saying some of the things you said you took away any profundity you may have created with other more valid points in your post. I am not trying to be polemical here but I guess I am by arguing your post. This post has nothing to do with stealing for survival of you or your family. Nothing. Why even bring that onto this thread. DO you think we North Americans lack any real perspective on how things really are abroad?
Cheers
“I highly doubt you are considering the global sociopolitical variables that effect society. ”
What was I thinking!?
But next time I find someone reaching into my pocket to take my money, I will consider those very things, right before an aggressive, and very entertaining arm-bar is applied to the situation.
Man, I’m betting ‘terse’ is not a nickname you’ve garnered over the years!
@High Kalibur
Very well thought out comment, but off base considering the topic. If we were talking about something like freedom or the ability to feed ourselves or provide for our families you’d be on point. But we’re talking about freaking ENTERTAINMENT here as greenknight pointed out, not life and death issues.
As to dropping $12 on a quality movie, there are TONS of reviews easily available online before you decide to go, or you can wait a few days and depend on word of mouth both from people you know and online.
Your argument there also falls apart because a lot of people FLOCK to see crap movies, even after opening weekend – if that’s your validation then maybe all these so-called pirates should concentrate on tracking down people who support crappy movies by going to see them time after time and slashing their tires. [THAT'S A JOKE, PEOPLE.]
Vic
@ Ken J
“Defense lawyers all too often try to demonize the victim, as if it’s the victim’s fault the criminal did what he/she did, and I absolutely DESPISE that kind of mentality.”
I can see your point, but in this case, Fox hurt themselves… simple as that. It was an inside job, most likely. And it seems this is something that could have happened very easily to any movie company, too. I’ve seen reports of people saying they were “shocked this didn’t happen before.” I see that changing now, though.
But let me say though that yes, whoever leaked the movie, I do want to see that person prosecuted. It is just not right for somebody to do that.
I’m simply defending the people who are all too susceptible to wanting to see the movie ahead of time. You guys know all about fanboys. I don’t blame them. You know how people will say “I can’t wait…” and well, they didn’t.
So if the movie doesn’t sell, it’s simply because nobody liked it enough to see it at the theater. There IS a difference between seeing a movie on the silver screen as opposed as on your computer. It’s a memorable experience (whether bad or good).
BTW, there are sites that don’t even require “downloading” of these movies. There are sites that actually show these movies in similar to youtube. That’s how my friend came across it.
He at first thought it was an April Fool joke, but it wasn’t.
I have read all of these posts now and this is by far one of the most interesting discussions I have ever seen take place on SR. Personally I think that High Kalibur has made the most since so far. I do have to say the best analogy to the whole situation so far is the druggie reference. I have downloaded before for your average fanboy reasons, after the first time though I started looking at online libraries of things I could download. I had an addiction, I was downloading movies that I didnt even really want to see. I know that my money that would have been spent on the industry was now still in my pocket and I was inexplicably satified for a while. then I went back to the theater for a big name movie and it made me wonder why the hell I was wasting my time with low quality downloads, instead of laughing with other people and enjoying the whole theater/imax experience. Since then I have completely lost all interest in downloading at all. I have completely kicked the habit, and it is a habit that is hard to break. It is a bad habit though that should be broken. As a movie theater fan I dont know what I was thinking.
As far as the criminal aspect on all this. I believe that the downloaders should be punished. If you are caught with evidence of illegal downloads you should be fined for the amount it would have cost you to go in a store or online venue to buy the content. Buy fining the the small fish you will make a big impact and eventually they will start flipping on the bigger fish. The problem will resolve itself that way. The economy would be stimulated, by the fines being put back into the “the system”.
Now I understand that there are some who think they are being done an injustice by the entertainment industry. If want to make an impact don’t buy it, but don’t steal it either. Criminals have very little credibility when it comes to making a difference. Tell your friends not to buy tickets or dvds. Go on as many websites as possible and broadcast whatever point you had. People will listen. If all the people that downloaded illegally just flooded the internet and other forms of media with there disgust, can you imagine the impact it would have. Changes would have to made. The movie indutsry would have no one to blame, but themselves for what ever decrease in profit margins they are seeing instead of criminal downloaders. You are not fixing anything you are a scape goat. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!
Zibe
My question to thsoe crying about stealing…Is it still considered stealing if you pay to see the finished movie at the theater and also by the dvd? If so then explain your answer.
My answer, NO, if you download it and then do not pay to see the film then you may have an argument for “stealing”; but, if you do pay to see it in the theater even after downloading it, how can you describe that as stealing? The box office did not suffer a loss from your early viewing of the movie.
Support the system? Are you kidding me?
The market is changing, and its up to Hollywood, and anyone that grossly overestimates “lost profits” (heh, not to be mistaken with the band), to change with the market. It is NOT good business to try to force the market to change for you.
Think about it. This is the only industry where they think that’s the option. Movies and music, with their billion dollar lawyers and pocketed politicians go after WHOLE COUNTRIES to keep themselves from evolving with the new market. You know who else is getting hurt by digital distribution? NEWSPAPERS.
You see newspapers dying left and right. Lots are starting to just evolve with the market, discontinue their printed product, and fall back to a digital-only presence because that’s what the market has changed to. The market evolves, and in order to stay alive you evolve with the market. To quote NOFX, “Dinosaurs will die”.
So, explain to me how it’s OK for the big burly reach of organizations like the MPAA and RIAA to force their ways on a market that’s changing and leaving them behind.
Explain to me how it’s ok for the RIAA and MPAA to use their political influence to threaten an embargo with Sweden because of their differing laws allowing for the existence of sites like The Pirate Bay.
And, while I hate to fall back on this one, this isn’t theft. How many mix tapes did you make in the 80s to give to friends? For a lot of people, the answer is a double-digit number. That’s not theft, however it’s more aligned with the definition, as it’s a tangible action.
Theft is defined as such:
larceny: the act of taking something from someone unlawfully; “the thieving is awful at Kennedy International” (source: wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)
In criminal law, theft (also known as stealing or filching) is the illegal taking of another person’s property without that person’s freely-given consent. (source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft)
A broad term describing the taking of another’s property with the intent of depriving the owner of the property. (source: http://www.mortgage22.com/terminology.html)
The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another (source: http://www.stpaul.gov/index.asp)
Everyone has a different way of defining it, but it’s all the same basic idea. Taking something from someone else, that may be an individual, or a corporate entity. But what about this word take?
get into one’s hands, take physically
take into one’s possession
(source: wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)
Based on the actual definitions of the common accusations, no one is taking anything. They’re not thieves. The act of theft is a tangible one, that outlines pretty specifically this type of scenario: I take something without paying, without asking. You now no longer have this something that I’ve taken. However, this is not the case. We live in a world of infinite capability of reproduction with no quality degradation from copy to copy, and the original still exists. It hasn’t left anyone. It hasn’t been stolen.
For you tl;dr people out there, it is the responsibility of the corporations to evolve with the market, and the demands of the moviegoing populous. It is NOT acceptable, or within their bounds, to attempt to force the market to meet their expectations for their business model. Their business model may have worked since the advent of the media, so it may seem a bit foreign for them to think of having to change with the times, but this is a world where if you’re trying to sell me air, you have to give me a good reason why I should pay for your air, when I breathe tons of the free stuff every day. It’s NOT acceptable for you to choke me to try to convince me that I NEED to buy your air.
you stole it then went back and paid for it. you did not intend to pay for it though when you initially downloaded it. I would put money to say that most of your downloads you never spent money on so with all this in consideration. that is why is it stealing. petty stealing, but stealing all the same.
@ Walwus, that was a pretty bad example. Your basically saying it’s ok to go to the theatre and pay to get in, then come back next week and sneak in beacsuse you already saw it. That would be stealing my friend.
Uh Walwus, how about I steal your car for a week, then I come back and say “hey, I liked driving your car around, can I buy it?” and hand you money. It’ll be ok right? You won’t call the cops on me or anything right??
Hang on Ken… I like the example… but let’s keep this focused.
The argument that downloading then seeing the movie is something that is acceptable. At least that’s the drift I get.
Fine. But do not the plethora of movie review sites not tell you anything? Is it possible to find a movie reviewer who has your same angle on movies not be able to tell you what you need to know?
Maybe it is OK if EVERY time you download a movie, you go to the theater later. But do you?
And if you do, downloading just helps the uploaders feel justified.
Just a thought in this gray world of copywright infringement laws.
THANKS FOR CHIMING IN -POLITELY- EVERYONE. THIS IS GREAT!
@ HK, very well thought out comment. I know i have stated i have downloaded movies before and i know that instantly creates a rift between many of us. However, you analysis was spot on. There are indeed two types of pirates. Great debate going on here, i think this is a debate that will be going on for years to come.
You see, this topic alone is the proof of why there’s no solution to the issue yet. Why piracy still occurs and why there is no better alternative than stealing. History is proof of man moving forward when forced to, and people have yet to even agree on that piracy is wrong so the step to EVERYONE feeling that piracy needs to be Stopped is far away as it seems. However, there are other ways to go I believe. So if a cheap alternative came up with people being able to buy Movies on the net for a duable cost the day it hits theaters, now that’s when I think we’ll see a drastic decreasing in piracy and illegal downloading of films. I’m also one of those who thinks that it wouldn’t kill theaters either, since the experiance of seeing a movie in a theater still will be beyond watching it on a PC or in a regular home.
@The Dragon
So in your opinion shoplifting a book from Barnes & Noble is wrong, but making a copies of the digital version of the book and posting them on a website for people to download is OK?
To me they’re both the same thing.
Vic
One of the arguments I see raised here over and over is that because the Wolverine print was leaked, once it was out there it was OK to download it.
So to me that sounds like if some (most?) of you walked by an ATM machine that was malfunctioning and giving out money that wasn’t from your account, the same rationale would apply:
“Hey, it’s not my fault the machine was malfunctioning, it was giving out money so I took it. That doesn’t make me wrong – if the machine was working right I wouldn’t have been able to take any. So it’s THEIR fault.”
That’s how I interpret it, anyway.
Vic
@ Vic: I haven’t read all of your arguments but your last two posts are very valid. It’s true that, probably, most people let their greed override their common sense too many times.
I have to agree with vic on this. you got it for free because somebody else commited a crime that no matter what is body else say, is not victimless. the economy is the way it is now because peole dont care enough about all the little things that peopple, businesses, banks, ect. have been getting away with for way to long.
@ Zibe: True, it’s a crime to buy stuff or contain stuff that you have a feeling might be illegal. You can end up in jail for that too if it can be prooven that you could have an idea of the material you’ve bought or gotten is illegally distributed to you. It’s rare, but I assume that could be the case if you have a 1000 disc illegally downloaded DVDs collection as example.
Vic, your last two posts are very true. I do believe many people feel that once someone has posted it online, its perfectly acceptable to download the material as it must be acceptable at this point.
What really needs to be done is strike a compromise between the movie industry and the bittorrent industry. Bit Torrent is used for many things, most legal, some illegal. But either way, in a changing world, its a great way to get your content to people who want it. A deal between the two would be the best of both worlds.
I’ve seen that perspective in lots of places… if I can get to it, it’s OK.
And technically, though illegal, it truly is dang near impossible to prove without a shadow of doubt that the downloader did indeed download… I was talking to some legal heads here at my work. It’s an international company and I work at the HQ’s… it’s amazing how tied they’re hands are in some scenarios!!
Wild Wild West. That’s what we’re experiencing her in these early days of the ‘net.
If enough people mess it up, well, then that’s how it is and the free days of internet may be threatened.
I’m just yakking what comes to mind at this second… can’t say how valid that really is. Any thoughts on these last few points?
No way to really control it Bruce..a certain percentage of people will download no matter how cheap the system makes it for you to see a movie or buy a copy. Call it some perverse sense of entitlement, they understand free. I hope we never get to the days where we have to pay for the internet on an hourly or per minute basis as that seems to be the way Virgin in the UK wants to take it. A pay service..pay for what you use..not a good thing at all. I think it will eventually end up that way just for the simple fact that there is a lot of money to be made if this is done and now that the dotcom boom is over this would seem to be the next logical step for those looking to capitalize on an untapped revenue stream..Sad but true.
Do you guys remember that the internet used to be a pay per minute thing here?? Remember the “750 free minute trial!” days? lol
@ Ken J, did it really use to be like that? I’m just a sophmore in college so i don’t remember that far back.
“What? So theft is justified if it’s just “digital?” Theft is theft”
@ greenknight333
There are plenty of posts advocating that “stealing is stealing no matter what”. My post simply aimed to point out that this mentality makes it impossible to discuss this topic with an open mind. I’m glad I was effective, in that many others see that taking an ideological stance on theft is ignorant and counterproductive.
“We are not all fat, lazy and wasteful”
I never said you were dude; it’s statistically speaking and unfortunate but true ever the same. Cultural conditioning effects ideologies. Also…. Uh… I live in North America….
@ Bruce Simmons
You definitely missed my points, sorry for not making them clearer. I’m simply saying that having an absolute mindset about any topic makes for a poor discussion and view of an issue. I was simply pointing out that “stealing is stealing is stealing” is a ridiculous perspective. Self protection is human nature.
“Man, I’m betting ‘terse’ is not a nickname you’ve garnered over the years!”
You had me rolling, I’m sorry Screen ‘rant’ but I’ve been in essay writing mode all month. I’ve had to push out 2-3 essays a week. It is ridiculous!
@ Vic
“we’re talking about freaking ENTERTAINMENT here as greenknight pointed out, not life and death issues.”
Exactly…. My point…. Glad we agree that there are different circumstances and that applying an ideological viewpoint to all of them is naïve (“Theft is theft”).
“As to dropping $12 on a quality movie, there are TONS of reviews easily available online before you decide to go, or you can wait a few days and depend on word of mouth both from people you know and online.”
When did I ever say otherwise? Still…. a good or bad review is subjective just like I said. Art is subjective. “Good” is an opinion. Same goes for a friend’s opinion.
“Your argument there also falls apart because a lot of people FLOCK to see crap movies, even after opening weekend -if that’s your validation then maybe all these so-called pirates should…”
When did I say that was my validation? And that only BUILDS my argument because my point was that people are drawn in by exciting previews and then disappointed. Big Blockbuster Films with good marketing can draw in a crowd even is the actual film is mediocre. At the same time, a good film, with mediocre marketing can draw in a crowd and perpetuate its stay at the box office. A good recent example: ‘Taken’.
My validation is to watch a preview twice. The second time trying to pick it apart, ignoring the dramatic music, fancy editing and the like and try to discern if there is really any quality in there. It’s getting much harder nowadays. But just because the mass majority likes a film doesn’t mean you will and the opposite is true. Just because your friends like a film doesn’t mean you will and of course the opposite is true. Subjectivity.
You have to see for yourself but where I think many people get upset at is that you can’t even gauge the true nature, tone, quality or anything for a movie from the previews half the time. They are totally misleading in a lot of cases. Because of that people are saying “screw it, I’ll download it and if it’s good I’ll go see it.”
‘Wolverine’ looks beautiful – ignoring this Deadpool mess – it looks like everything it should be but what do I make that assumption from? You guessed it, the preview. I cannot wait to sit in the theater and experience Wolverine and Sabertooth ‘done right’, with the likes of Gambit & Deadpool thrown in. It appears to have a good story, tone, director, quality action sequences and anything else I could expect from a multi-million dollar silver screen incarnation of one of my favorite comic book characters – but there is no guarantee. If I go to the theater and this movie sucks I will be appalled. I think a lot of people are tired of being disgusted, mislead and let down. That’s my argument and I don’t see how it falls apart.
@ zibe
“Personally I think that High Kalibur has made the most since so far.”
Thanks! Glad I made sense to someone!
“Now I understand that there are some who think they are being done an injustice by the entertainment industry. If want to make an impact don’t buy it, but don’t steal it either. Criminals have very little credibility when it comes to making a difference.”
Good point.
@ TheDragon
You also have very good points.
No business model is immortal, capitalism or more accurately, the quasi-free market economy that we have demands that products change to meet consumer demand. Cinema is changing too slowly but I don’t see how that warrants stealing.
@ Jeff
“@ HK, very well thought out comment. I know i have stated i have downloaded movies before and i know that instantly creates a rift between many of us. However, you analysis was spot on. There are indeed two types of pirates. Great debate going on here, i think this is a debate that will be going on for years to come.”
Thanks man. This definitely is an intriguing topic.
@ Bruce Simmons / Vic / Screenrant
This is by far the most productive discussion I have witnessed on SR. Just a though but would it be possible to create a forum on this website…..? I’m sure there are plenty of other posters who would have good points and similar topics to discuss….?
For all you who D/L’D Wolverine: BE THERE APRIL 29TH BUB! *SKINT*
Yah, it was retarded, and it was dial up back then too, so you can’t talk on the phone when you’re online. People complain that they’ve been trying to call and it’s always busy, lol. It was slow, and also very unreliable. Getting kicked off the internet was VERY common. The worst was AOL. If you used AOL, the “goodbye, goodbye” audio clip it plays when you get signed off becomes ingrained in your head. I swear I heard “goodbye, goodbye” while I dreamt, lol.
And yah, it was pay per minute, so it gets pretty expensive if you wanted to be online for a long time. And everything took a long time to load since it was only 28.8kbps or later it was 56kbps. Yes, I used to use it at 28.8, and I even remember when it was 14.4kbps. Now we are up to 3Mbps t12Mbps… lol.
I just kept using AOL’s free minute trials, cancelled it when my minutes were up, then signed up again with a new trial, lol. I paid for the per minute stuff every now and then when I didn’t have any free trial discs on hand, and it isn’t worth it. And even the monthly plans had minute caps of usage, so you had to make sure not to use it more than that every month or you paid extra. I personally liked MSN’s service the most out of all of the dial up services I used. Now MSN is just a web portal and messenger, back in the day it was a full fledged online service provider, lol.
Oops, forgot to say @ Jeff for that last comment. He asked about internet.
For all those who think its OK to download the Wolerine film,
I have a question .
If you downloaded the film
Would you be willing to tell Fox that you have done so ?
Would you leave your Name,Phone Number and address?
If its truly OK to do this ,
Then if you confess NOTHING will happen.
RIGHT?
I just can’t wait until a major movie has the cajones to release a movie simultaneously on all formats. There are a couple movies that released the DVD the same day as the theatrical release, but I can’t be too sure of the results since the movies weren’t buzzworthy enough to make a difference.
It’s a far cry, but I’m guessing movies will go the way of music, where they will be released on all formats simultaneously, but you will have to pay for the high quality version (i.e., the most incentives will be put to the theatrical version). Why not sell the DVD right at the theater when you come out so you can take it home with you then? If people liked the movie, they would buy a copy to take home with them. Either that or pay for the high-quality home version over the internet.
If Fox had intentionally leaked this, they would have leaked a poor quality but finished version. I believe it was an inside job, but not intentional to create hype.
Regardless of the quality of the leak, I am an intelligent enough movie-watcher to know not to make judgments on something that I know isn’t finished, and I’d still anticipate seeing the final version (on any format) to see how good of a job they did in finishing it. Most of the unfinished shots/deleted scenes end up on a DVD as bonus material anyway. To me, it doesn’t matter when I’m aware of the behind-the-scenes magic.
If a magician told me how he did his trick before he performed it instead of after, my attention would just be focused on how well the magician fooled everyone. I know it’s an illusion, but knowing how it was done does not distort my picture of the original illusion. I just see it from a different perspective, and yet I’m still entertained at how well the magician kept it an illusion.
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