Michael Bay's "Ninja Turtles" reboot has had rough sailing since its announcement. Whether it was negative fan fallout over the initial announcement of the Turtles being from an alien race, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" creator Peter Laird addressing the updated origin or Kevin Eastman's endorsement, the film has certainly garnered a cornucopia of media attention. However, it looks like the heroes in a half shell will have remain on their home planet for the time being as The Hollywood Reporter reveals Paramount Pictures has shut down the reboot, pushing the December 2013 release date to May 2014. THR reports the studio has laid off pre-production staff for an "indefinite" work stoppage.

The news comes after a number of notable film delays for Paramount following the release of box-office dud "Battleship," including "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and Brad Pitt's "World War Z." "Ninja Turtles" is produced by Bay's Platinum Dunes with Jonathan Liebesman attached to direct a script written by Kevin Eastman and Andre Nemec.

"Kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles do exist, when we are done with this movie," said Bay at the revelation of the Turtles' new origin. "These Turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable."

Stay tuned to CBR News for more on the "Ninja Turtles" production shutdown.