Earlier this year, Eli Roth’s Hostel 2 was leaked on the net a week before the film’s initial release, and since then it has become the most downloaded film of all time. If you have read any of his blogs or any interviews you would know how infuriated the horror director is about his film being pirated, and according to IMDB, he still has some choice words to say about it.
IMDB gives us this:
“I’m furious. Here’s the thing: It’s real money. People say, ‘Oh, you can’t get mad at people downloading.’ Well then, when are you supposed to get mad? If you don’t speak out against it now, then when?” And Roth has pinpointed his target movie audience as being the very persons responsible for the majority of downloads.
Although it sucks that his movie was pirated, I’m still one of those firm believers that believe Hostel 2’s box office failure was due to it being released during the season when all the blockbuster hits are released. The reason why the original film had done so well, was because it opened in January and there was nothing competing with it. Take ‘Rob Zombie’s Halloween’ for example. His workprint was also leaked on the net a week before the film initial’s release, and it still made TONS of money at the box office.
This movie will make money on DVD. (Considering it comes out a week before Halloween) I still know tons of people who are curious enough about the sequel to rent it. So, although I think the piracy of his film sucks ass, I do think Mr. Roth should calm down a little. The movie made its money back, (despite the lack luster numbers at the box office) and will definitely make a profit when it comes out on DVD. Relax! (If it makes you feel better Eli, I went to see it in theatres! :P)
Let this be a lesson to all. If you release a horror movie during a time when the most highly anticipated movies of the year are released, expect most audiences to mutter the words, “I’ll wait for DVD.”
If you want Eli Roth to calm down and to stop talking about piracy, go out and rent ‘Hostel 2’ when it comes out October 23, 2007.
