Filming had been scheduled on an exact date in order to accomodate Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, their busy schedule, and a tight budget. There were some elements of preproduction that were done rapidly, but they were still unable to meet their deadline.
Peter Rice, President of Fox Searchlight Pictures stated: "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 creative forces behind this film, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, writer/director Jocelyn Moorhouse and producer Uberto Pasolini, issued the following statement: "Despite everyone’s efforts during recent days and weeks, the script of ‘Eucalyptus‘ needs more work. Unfortunately our availability prohibits us from completing this work at this time. Therefore, we have agreed that the best thing to do is to postpone shooting until the project’s foundation is solid. The postponement in no way lessens our passion to bring Murray Bail’s beautiful Australian novel to the big screen. We would like to thank and acknowledge the combined efforts of the cast and crew that have readied the picture to this point. We are confident that when the time is right this extraordinarily talented and dedicated Australian production team will once again find a way to be on board."