A draft script for the new James Bond film has been stolen and leaked by hackers, producers have confirmed.

An “early version” of the screenplay for Spectre was among material taken in a cyber-attack on the computers of Sony Pictures Entertainment. A group calling itself the Guardians of Peace, or GOP, targeted the film studio last month.

There have been suggestions that the attack was retaliation for a Sony-backed comedy in which two journalists are tasked with assassinating North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, although Pyongyang has denied responsibility.

A statement on the official 007 website said: “Eon Productions, the producers of the James Bond films, learned this morning that an early version of the screenplay for the new Bond film Spectre is amongst the material stolen and illegally made public by hackers who infiltrated the Sony Pictures Entertainment computer system.”

Eon said it was concerned that third parties who received the stolen screenplay “may seek to publish it or its contents”.

The statement went on: “The screenplay for Spectre is the confidential information of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Danjaq LLC, 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 against the persons who stole the screenplay, and against anyone who makes infringing uses of it or attempts to take commercial advantage of confidential property it knows to be stolen.”

This month director Sam Mendes said Bond fans could expect “a little more mischief” in 007’s next adventure, as he unveiled a cast including Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Léa Seydoux and Monica Bellucci. The film is due for release on 6 November next year.