The early leak of the Avengers: Age Of Ultron trailer was met by its studio with an air of geekery that we’ve come to expect from the comic book giants. Almost as soon as the bootleg version of the first preview made its way online, the marketing heads were cooking up a comeback. Making a gag about Hydra being responsible (“Dammit, Hydra”), followed by an official version, made them out to be Kool and The Gang. But they’re not. In fact, the studio are now seeking legal action against the person responsible for the unauthorized posting of their carefully-crafted trailer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, they’re on their way to discovering the location of the leaker. A subpoena was submitted at a California Federal Court asking Internet giants Google to produce information on the suspect. So far, the studio have produced documents outlining that they’d narrowed it down to a potential name – John Gaselle. Their research uncovered that Gaselle apparently uploaded the trailer to a Google Drive account, but they require help from Google to help expedite the man’s IP details.
The leaked trailer blew up the internet as soon as it landed. Even though the unofficial version was seen by millions, the polished Marvel preview has since become of the most-viewed trailers of all time. There’s no doubt the entire issue interfered with their long-term marketing plans for the mega-sequel, as originally it had been set to air seven days later during a commercial break on Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Still, the publicity couldn’t have hurt.
Avengers: Age of Ultron lands in theatres on May 1st, 2015.
Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.