A 26-year-old man in Singapore has been arrested and could face up to seven years in prison for allegedly leaking an unreleased major movie online, according to reports. The suspect was apprehended following an investigation by Paramount+ after their upcoming film, The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, was shared online six months before its scheduled release.
Details of the Leak
Footage from the popular Nickelodeon property first surfaced on social media after a user claimed they had received the full movie by mistake. The entire film was subsequently leaked in full, garnering so many views that it appeared on Letterboxd's 'most popular' list. The man was arrested and detained for accessing a media server without authorization.
Police Investigation
According to The Straits Times, Singapore police received a report on April 16 that parts of an unreleased film had been uploaded to the internet. The man was identified and arrested within a day, and various electronic devices belonging to him were seized. Police stated that preliminary investigations revealed the man gained unauthorized access to the studio's server, from which he downloaded the film.
If found guilty of gaining unauthorized access to computer material, he faces a maximum jail term of seven years and a fine not exceeding $50,000, or potentially both.
Film Background
Originally set for theatrical release on October 9, the film faced backlash after the studio decided to release it exclusively on Paramount+ instead. It also received criticism from fans for replacing its voice cast. For instance, user alexisplaysvg asked on X: 'Wasn't there anyone who stood up and said replacing the original cast was a terrible idea?' Another user, TheManInYourPC1, branded it 'plain wrong' that the film should be hidden behind a subscription service.
However, many expressed sympathy for the animators. MrJulianR1 noted that the creators 'deserve a lot of appreciation' for their effort.
Studio and Animator Reactions
Following the leak, Variety reported a spokesperson saying: 'It was heartbreaking to see footage from The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender leak online. This leak did not originate from Flying Bark. Our studio proudly partnered on the production until the very end and we acknowledge the filmmakers, cast, artists and animators who worked tirelessly to produce this incredibly crafted film.'
Animator Julia Schoel posted on X: 'We worked on the Aang movie for years with the expectation that we'd get to celebrate all of our hard work in theaters… just to see people unceremoniously leak the film and pass our shots around on Twitter like candy.'
Another artist, Tom Barkel, admitted he 'understood' fans who engage with leaks but shared his frustration at both Paramount and the leakers. He continued: 'It could have been a moment for all fans, but the rug was pulled and now there is division on whether to watch or wait. To those who say: “who cares, the artists were paid,” The ugly truth is that by not supporting the official release you bite the hand that feeds someone else.'
Additional Details
Prior to the full film being uploaded, the initial leaked material included older versions of the cast, including Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko. The all-star voice cast includes Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead), and Eric Nam (Traitors USA). First announced in 2024, The Legend of Aang was expected to be the start of a new trilogy of animated films within the Avatar universe. The film is set for release on Paramount+ on October 9, 2026.
