Perfect Copy Of 'The Expendables 3' Leaks Online 3 Weeks Before The Movie Hits Theaters

The third installment of the popular The Expendables movie franchise won't hit theaters until August 15th, but a near perfect copy has already leaked online.

According to TorrentFreak, the movie has been downloaded at least 200,000 times since it hit the internet on Thursday, July 24.

Screen shot from leaked copy of The Expendables 3

It's not a secret that all movies eventually leak. Grainy cam versions, recorded by somone in the audience, usually hit the net a week or so after a new movie is released. Better copies appear in the weeks or months that follow, but a near DVD quality copy like the Expendables 3 is a rarity. Especially when you take into account that there are still several weeks before audiences will see it on the big screen.

In 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine leaked two months before its release date. However, it was unfinished and lacked special effects

Another screen shot

Lionsgate executives are most likely in a state of panic thinking of the millions of dollars they will lose. The first two Expendables movies made a combined $575 million at the box office worldwide.

The latest version is packed with star power. It stars Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Jason Statham, Glen Powell, Ronda Rousey, Victor Ortiz and Terry Crews.

I'm betting the film will still do well at the box office. Pirating will always be an issue, but true movie fanatics love the big screen experience and don't bother with downloading illegal copies.