A digital copy of Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge has allegedly been stolen from Disney and is being held for ransom.
By pirates.
Walt Disney CEO Bog Iger told his employees at a staff meeting on Monday that the company had been contacted by an alleged cyber-criminal claiming to have gained access to one of the studio's films.
(Disney CEO Bob Iger in happier times)
Although Iger would not confirm the title of the stolen movie at his staff meeting, reports have since pointed to the latest Pirates of the Caribbean sequel.
This hacker has threatened to release the movie illegally on the internet in short segments unless Disney pays a ransom in Bitcoin. At present, Iger says that Disney is refusing to pay any money for the return of the film (via Deadline).
The film industry giant is apparently also working with US federal officials in hopes of identifying the person behind this theft and retrieving the film.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge is currently slated to be officially released in the UK and the US next Friday (May 26).
Sony Pictures fell victim to a data breach from the North Korea-backed cyber-criminal ring known as Guardians of Peace back in 2014 in what eventually became an international incident.
While no films were stolen in the Guardians of Peace attack, confidential details about upcoming Sony projects and embarrassing personal emails from executives were all illegally leaked on social media.
Netflix also recently fell victim to hackers who stole the new season of Orange is the New Black. When the streaming giant refused to pay ransom in that instance, 10 episodes were leaked onto the web.
