Pathé adds extra screenings of ‘The Odyssey’ despite millions viewing leaked copy on X
A leaked version of the highly anticipated film "The Odyssey" was watched 2.1 million times in 2.5 hours on Saturday after an X account posted a high-quality version, Variety reports. It was successfully removed 2.5 hours later.
In the meantime, Pathé is adding extra overnight and early-morning IMAX screenings of “The Odyssey” after weeks of continuous sell-outs. “We have never seen this occupancy rate in our IMAX theaters before,” a Pathé spokesperson told RTL.
The spokesperson also said that this is the first time in the company’s Dutch history that extra night and morning screenings have been programmed so systematically. “The interest in The Odyssey remains unprecedented,” the spokesperson said.
More than 75,000 tickets have already been sold in advance for the coming weeks. Pathé plans to keep the movie in IMAX “at least until September.”
Pathé Arena in Amsterdam has 8 a.m. shows planned for August 7 and 8. Pathé Schouwburgplein in Rotterdam is adding 11:30 p.m. night screenings on upcoming weekends.
The Netherlands has 10 IMAX theaters — seven operated by Pathé and three by Kinepolis. All 10 theaters have been continuously sold out for the past two weeks. Kinepolis said Monday it is examining ways to expand its current programming as well.
After the Saturday leak, a lower-quality version again appeared on X on Sunday, NU.nl reports. That version was viewed nearly 50,000 times and was removed 2 hours later.
Universal Pictures told the BBC it had been notified of the leak. The studio said, "We have immediately initiated the takedown procedure. We take copyright infringements seriously and will take all appropriate measures to protect our content and intellectual property rights.”
The leak is not expected to significantly damage the film’s box-office performance. “The Odyssey” earned nearly 190 million euros last weekend, pushing its cumulative total above 560 million euros.
