Amazon is facing a potentially costly mess after accidentally making Jason Statham’s new action movie, “Mutiny,” available to stream on Prime Video on Wednesday, just days before its theatrical release. The 95-minute film was fully playable, for more than two hours, and was ultimately removed at around 10am. Regardless, the damage has been done.
Some subscribers were stunned to discover they could watch the movie ahead of its planned theatrical debut.
“I’m watching Jason Statham’s new movie “Mutiny,” streaming on Amazon for free right now,” one user posted to X. “This has to be a huge mistake, right? My theater has showtimes starting this week!”
Another wrote: “Someone is getting fired over at Amazon. They uploaded Jason Statham’s new movie “Mutiny” on Prime a day before it hits theaters.”
The blunder could have serious financial consequences for Lionsgate and the film’s international distributors, particularly because “Mutiny,” which carries a reported $50M budget, is now circulating on piracy sites following the leak.
According to Deadline, Lionsgate is understood to have paid an eight-figure sum for the film’s distribution rights.
The biggest question now is what Amazon will do to address the fallout. Theater chains are reportedly unhappy, while producers are furious, and Lionsgate and international distributors are seeking compensation.
“This is an unprecedented situation,” one international buyer told Deadline. “It’s a major f*ck-up. I’ve never been in this situation before. What’s clear is that this is a multimillion-dollar problem for Amazon, and buyers will expect a check to be written to help resolve this.”
One person involved with the production expressed similar frustration, saying there could be “serious repercussions for distributors.”
The sequel will arrive more than 20 years after the original and nearly two decades after “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” with Turteltaub returning to direct.