A few months ago Paramount Pictures set a December 25th, 2013 release date for their new live action Ninja Turtles reboot. However that’s now been pushed back until at least May 16th, 2013, according to THR, in order to work out issues with the script. Only last week plans were moving ahead to shoot the film later this summer, so this is a bit of a last minute move.
The studio has laid off pre-production staff members, with the start of production postponed for at least 10 weeks. The screenplay by André Nemec and Josh Appelbaum is said to be the primary reason for the production shut down. It isn’t known if Paramount is seeking new writers or if the guys responsible for the script will get a chance to iron out the problem.
Jonathan Liebesman is still attached to, with Michael Bay producing through his Platinum Dunes production company. This is the third major production that Paramount has delayed in the past few months. Last month G.I. Joe Retaliation was bumped nine months from June 29th, 2012 to March 29th, 2013 to be converted into 3D. World War Z has also been pushed from this December into the summer of 2013, to accommodate extensive reshoots.
Don’t be shocked if there are even more delays to Ninja Turtles, especially as initial reports said the movie had been put on indefinite hiatus rather than just being delayed by 10 weeks.