Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) is almost here. For the very first time, fans of the anime, trading card game and franchise as a whole, will bear witness to the very first live-action Pokémon film. It is a dream come true for many fans. With only a few weeks to go, however, it seems as if the movie may have leaked online. Those savvy enough can watch Detective Pikachu online for free, right now.

In a really strange turn of events, the film’s biggest star “accidentally” uploaded the entirety of the film to YouTube. Yes, Mr. Ryan Reynolds is the man behind the leak of one of the most anticipated films of 2019. This means that anyone can watch Detective Pikachu online for free. A leak that we have embedded directly in this post for easy viewing. Enjoy.

Those of you who are reading further than the video above, or for those who reached the roughly one minute mark in the video, will quickly realise that Ryan Reynolds did not, in fact, “accidentally” upload Detective Pikachu to YouTube. Duh! Rather, Warner Brothers and Reynolds have decided to proactively “leak” a brilliantly crafted video that Rick Rolls anyone who considers Googling “watch Detective Pikachu online for free”.

The leak is perfectly inline with Reynolds’ brand of humour, which has already earmarked him as the quintessential Deadpool. Despite being nothing more than a fun and lighthearted poke at denizens of the Internet who do pirate content, it is also wonderfully on point for 2019 meme culture. In fact, it has already spurred a fantastic dancing Pikachu gif, which I know I will end up using fairly often.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) is due for release from 3 May 2019 in Japan, before launching around the world from 9 May 2019. The film is due for release in South Africa on 17 May 2019. I already have my tickets to the film and will report back once I have seen it.

[Source: YouTube]

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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.