Mere days before production start, the officials at Fox Searchlight were forced to issue a statement on Thursday concerning 'Eucalyptus', set to star Aussie actor Russel Crowe and Nicole Kidman.

Said Fox Searchlight prez Peter Rice, "After consulting with all the creative elements involved in 'Eucalyptus,' we have collectively agreed that the screenplay is not where we need it to be. For that reason, we are postponing the production."

The statement, however, is dismissed by sources quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald who claim that personality differences, mainly concerning a certain Gladiator, have driven a spike in a production that was the hope of the struggling Australian cinema.

The trade reports from an insider that a head-on collision between director Jocelyn Moorhouse and Star Crowe led to a 'crisis meeting' between the two and their producers, which failed to reach a solution and forced an 'indefinite hold' for the project. Some water-cooler rumours has Crowed intent on directing himself.

Fox spokesman John Scott denied Moorhouse's departure, stating Crowe's executive Producer privilege entitled him to request a revision of the script.

The change in pans affects more than eager audiences and studio finances, however, which infuriates more than Crowe on this particular project. In order to accomplish location shooting, around 20 families had voluntarily rented their homes to the cast and crew.

"The whole thing's gone sour," ranted one home owner. "A lot of people had made a huge change in their lives to accommodate this but they were just dealing [with us] in a really slack, unprofessional manner."

Word has yet to come on wheter the production will resume shortly, and wheter the busy stars will still be available.

Source: Moviehole