Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is arguably the most anticipated movie this holiday season. Some fans are having a hard time waiting until the November 19 release as thousands have been scouring bittorrent sites looking for leaked footage.
Yesterday their wish came true when the first 36 minutes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 showed up online and sent scores of people rushing to download the footage according to TorrentFreak. Thousands upon thousands were likely able to watch the film’s first 25% before Warner Bros. legal team kicked into action and had (most of) the footage removed.
Understandably Warner Bros. is not distraught as an early leaked version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine is thought to have put a dent in that film’s box office gross. Potter fans did not get to see Deathly Hallows in its entirety, but that does not mean there will not be repercussions for the individual or individuals involved. “We are working actively to restrict and/or remove copies that may be available,” Warner Bros. told THR in regards to the leak. “Also, we are vigorously investigating this matter and will prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law.”
Hopefully this incident does not mar the opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and instead fuels ticket sales. How high Potter will go is anyone’s guess, and you can make your best prediction in our interactive weekly Box Office Prophet game.
