LONDON — The producers of James Bond films have acknowledged that an early version of the screenplay for the new movie “SPECTRE” was among the material stolen in the massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The producers said in a statement Saturday that they are concerned that third parties who received the screenplay might seek to publish it — and warned that the material is subject to copyright protection around the world.
The warning was issued by Eon productions, the U.K. affiliate of Danjaq LLC, the U.S.-based company that co-owns, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., the copyright to the Bond films and their merchandising.
There’s been speculation that North Korea is behind the cyberattack in retaliation for the upcoming comedy “The Interview.” That film depicts an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea has condemned the film but denied the hack.
The revelation is the latest among the spectacular leaks that are causing continuing embarrassment for Sony. Highly sensitive material is being leaked almost daily.
The next 007 adventure — called “SPECTRE,” after the fictional terrorist organization featured in “Dr. No” — will be Daniel Craig’s fourth film as Bond.
