Stolen 'X-Men' flick leaps onto Internet

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Actor Hugh Jackman jokes about his Wolverine character. A stolen copy of the film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has leapt around the Internet being downloaded from file sharing websites

A stolen copy of the film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has leapt around the Internet being downloaded from file sharing websites.

An incomplete, early version of the film purloined late Tuesday was posted illegally at websites, according to Twentieth Century Fox Films studio spokesman Chris Petrikin.

The movie is slated to open in theaters worldwide in just under four weeks.

"It was without many effects, had missing and unedited scenes and temporary sound and music," Petrikin said of the version of the film put online.

"We immediately contacted the appropriate legal authorities and had it removed."

Fox forensically marks digital films to better track them and, in this case, figure out who made it available online and those that downloaded copies.

The "X-Men" film, based on the eponymous comic book characters, was evidently spread with BitTorrent file sharing technology that lets people share large data files virally between computers in a fashion called peer-to-peer.

"The source of the initial leak and any subsequent postings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Petrikin said in an email response to an AFP inquiry.

"We are encouraged by the support of fan sites condemning this illegal posting and pointing out that such theft undermines the enormous efforts of the filmmakers and actors, and above all, hurts the fans of the film."

(c) 2009 AFP

   

• Egnite - Apr 02, 2009
  • Rank: 4.7 / 5 (3)
  "We are encouraged by the support of fan sites condemning this illegal posting and pointing out that such theft undermines the enormous efforts of the filmmakers and actors, and above all, hurts the fans of the film."
  
  Lawl! What a load of BS! Encouraged by the fans? More like encouraged by the share holders and sponsors. Thanks for lettin me know, might have a look and see if it's worth buying once it eventually comes out on dvd.
  
  Maybe if the movie companies gave thier customers what they want, ppl wouldn't find it necessary to go behind their back and "break the law". Personally I see forcing fans to view a film in an over-used, cramped cinema for £10 to be more illegal than geeks previewing the movie b4 buyin it on dvd.
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• Ashy - Apr 14, 2009
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is a beautiful, exellent film, because of unfinished special effects especially. It shows not only computer graphics like many other films, but perfect actors' play. I saw this film and I certainly will go to the sinema to see it's final version.
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• Egnite - May 01, 2009
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  I agree ashy! After watching the leaked copy at a friends, it has only made me curious to see how impressive the final cut is. I'd recommend watchin the leaked version just to see the little imperfections from actors that you never see in the cinema and the lack of gfx will open ones eyes to how much cgi is actually used in films today. Don't get me wrong, as a comic book I totally expect many special effects and this movie is full of them :-) I found it very interesting and like I say, it's making me want to visit the cinema more than any advert would.
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