A high-quality, unauthorised version of Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed film, 'The Odyssey', was widely circulated on Elon Musk's X platform over the weekend. The pirated copy of the nearly three-hour epic was viewed by more than three million users before the account hosting it was suspended and the content removed.
The leak emerged after an account flagged the presence of the full film on X, prompting a rapid spread across the platform. While the precise origin of the bootleg version remains unknown, Universal Pictures, the film's distributor, confirmed they initiated immediate takedown protocols upon becoming aware of the infringement. A spokesperson for Universal stated, "We became aware of the unauthorized posting of the film and immediately initiated takedown protocols. We take copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all appropriate remedies to protect our content and intellectual property rights."
'The Odyssey' has been a significant box office success since its release at the beginning of July, earning over $600 million globally and receiving glowing reviews. Despite the widespread piracy, the leak does not appear to have significantly dented its commercial performance. Global takings have now reached $640 million, with the film securing an impressive $87 million in the US during its second weekend, demonstrating strong holding power in a crucial market.
The incident also highlights ongoing discussions surrounding the film, particularly its casting decisions. X owner Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of 'The Odyssey', using his own X account to express concerns about what he perceives as 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' (DEI) culture, specifically referencing the casting of Black actor Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy. Last week, Musk announced his intention to use his AI platform, Grok Imagine, to produce a "historically accurate" adaptation of Homer's epic poem.
Nolan has previously addressed the criticism regarding his casting choices, stating that such conversations are "irrelevant" before audiences have actually seen the film. The director emphasised that pre-release debates often lack context as those involved are not yet aware of the film's true nature. X has been approached for comment regarding the incident.
For UK audiences, 'The Odyssey' is currently enjoying a strong run in cinemas across the country, having garnered significant critical acclaim. Its performance is being closely watched by industry analysts, particularly given its potential for BAFTA recognition in the coming awards season. While streaming availability has not yet been announced, a premium video-on-demand release is anticipated in the coming months, followed by a wider streaming debut on major platforms.