Sunday, December 14, 2014
Producers of the films about the British secret agent said they found out on Saturday that an early version of the Spectre screenplay was among material made public.
Some websites which have got hold of the leaked script have already detailed the plot online, giving the producers a dilemma over whether to tear it up and start again.
The 24th Bond movie was only officially launched last week when Daniel Craig was announced to be returning alongside a cast of new faces.
All those involved were sworn to secrecy and strenuous efforts were made to keep the plot under wraps.
It has already emerged as a result of the hack that the film will cost $300m (£180m), making it the most expensive Bond film ever.
The script was described as having copious notes written alongside it, suggesting it was still being heavily reworked, according to Gawker.
The cyber-attack on the Sony's computer network on 25 November - which may have originated from North Korea - has meant thousands of embarrassing documents and five films have emerged online.
Among other embarrassing revelations has been that Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence was paid considerably less than her male American Hustle co-stars.
Angelina Jolie, meanwhile, was called a "minimally talented spoiled brat" because of her demands during a remake of Cleopatra.
One of the most embarrassing leaks was a series of emails between Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal and top producer Scott Rudin in which they list films Barack Obama must like because they star African Americans.
A White House spokesman said on Friday he felt a subsequent apology by Ms Pascal was "appropriate".
The Bond leak has the potential to hit the studio hard as the franchise is one of the most lucrative for Sony Pictures with the last instalment Skyfall bringing in $1.1bn (£700m) worldwide - more than any other film in the series.
A Sony spokesman said news reports that the cyber-attack forced the studio to stop production on films, including Spectre, were wrong.
Robert Lawson told Reuters: "Productions are still moving forward."
A statement by EON productions, the company making the Bond film, said: "The screenplay for SPECTRE is the confidential. and is protected by the laws of copyright in the United Kingdom and around the world.
"It may not (in whole or in part) be published, reproduced, disseminated or otherwise utilised by anyone who obtains a copy of it. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Danjaq LLC will take all necessary steps to protect their rights."
North Korea has denied involvement in the cyber-attack in retaliation for an upcoming film, but hailed it a "righteous deed.
The Interview, a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, depicts an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Some websites which have got hold of the leaked script have already detailed the plot online, giving the producers a dilemma over whether to tear it up and start again.
The 24th Bond movie was only officially launched last week when Daniel Craig was announced to be returning alongside a cast of new faces.
All those involved were sworn to secrecy and strenuous efforts were made to keep the plot under wraps.
It has already emerged as a result of the hack that the film will cost $300m (£180m), making it the most expensive Bond film ever.
The script was described as having copious notes written alongside it, suggesting it was still being heavily reworked, according to Gawker.
The cyber-attack on the Sony's computer network on 25 November - which may have originated from North Korea - has meant thousands of embarrassing documents and five films have emerged online.
Among other embarrassing revelations has been that Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence was paid considerably less than her male American Hustle co-stars.
Angelina Jolie, meanwhile, was called a "minimally talented spoiled brat" because of her demands during a remake of Cleopatra.
One of the most embarrassing leaks was a series of emails between Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal and top producer Scott Rudin in which they list films Barack Obama must like because they star African Americans.
A White House spokesman said on Friday he felt a subsequent apology by Ms Pascal was "appropriate".
The Bond leak has the potential to hit the studio hard as the franchise is one of the most lucrative for Sony Pictures with the last instalment Skyfall bringing in $1.1bn (£700m) worldwide - more than any other film in the series.
A Sony spokesman said news reports that the cyber-attack forced the studio to stop production on films, including Spectre, were wrong.
Robert Lawson told Reuters: "Productions are still moving forward."
A statement by EON productions, the company making the Bond film, said: "The screenplay for SPECTRE is the confidential. and is protected by the laws of copyright in the United Kingdom and around the world.
"It may not (in whole or in part) be published, reproduced, disseminated or otherwise utilised by anyone who obtains a copy of it. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Danjaq LLC will take all necessary steps to protect their rights."
North Korea has denied involvement in the cyber-attack in retaliation for an upcoming film, but hailed it a "righteous deed.
The Interview, a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, depicts an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
source: Sky News