Updated
Updated · Variety · Jul 26
The Odyssey Bootleg Hit 2.1 Million X Views Before Takedown
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jul 26

The Odyssey Bootleg Hit 2.1 Million X Views Before Takedown

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jul 26

Summary

  • A high-quality bootleg of “The Odyssey” spread on X on July 25, topping 2.1 million views in about 2.5 hours before the video was replaced with a takedown notice and the source account was suspended.
  • Universal said it moved immediately after discovering the unauthorized upload, launched takedown protocols and plans to pursue remedies for copyright infringement.
  • Clones of the leaked film were still circulating on X as of July 26, though many posts were buried by mislabeled links that instead played Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
  • The leak has not yet dented demand: the film added $87 million in its second weekend, while Imax 70 mm tickets remained highly sought after.

Insights

How did a full-quality Odyssey bootleg reach 2.1 million views on X before takedown—and what does that expose about modern film piracy?
If piracy couldn’t slow The Odyssey’s $87 million weekend, are premium theatrical events becoming stronger than the leak economy?
Why did The Odyssey leak become a flashpoint over AI, casting, and “historical accuracy” instead of just another copyright dispute?