James Franco and Seth Rogen's controversial new movie could be to blame for the headline-grabbing hack attack on Sony Pictures.

The movie giant's databases were compromised last week (ends30Nov14) and reports suggested the perpetrators had stolen files featuring the personal details of stars including Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz.

Cyber thieves also posted online stolen films they acquired in the hack, including Brad Pitt's Fury and the forthcoming adaptation of Annie, which led to millions of illegal downloads through pirate sites.

It is now believed the attack may have been carried out by officials in North Korea in revenge over Franco and Rogen's latest comedy, The Interview, which tells the fictional story of two men who try to assassinate the country's dictator Kim Jong Un.

North Korean government representatives have slammed the film and branded it an act of war and an "undisguised sponsoring of terrorism".

And when quizzed about the cyber attack, North Korea's United Nations mission refused to deny the rumour, saying, "I kindly advise you to just wait and see."

Federal Bureau of Investigation (Fbi) officers are investigating the incident.