Steven Spielberg has shelved his planned big screen adaptation of Robopocalypse.

Anne Hathaway and Chris Hemsworth had been cast in the movie version of Daniel H. Wilson's best-selling sci-fi novel, about a war between humans and robots.

However, the project has now been postponed indefinitely, with a spokesperson for the director's DreamWorks Studios telling E! News that production stalled because the script was not ready.

Spielberg's camp is now "reconsidering their options" for bringing the futuristic story to cinemas. Production on Robopocalypse was due to begin this spring ahead of a 2014 release.

Even without a new film to make, the legendary director has plenty to keep him busy as award season kicks off in Hollywood.

His latest release Lincoln has been tipped for Oscars glory, and on Wednesday, the historical drama received 10 nominations for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards.