HBO Films has reportedly put The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers on hold after star Geoffrey Rush was forced to return to Australia for personal reasons.

The biopic was shooting at Shepperton Studios in the UK, but, according to UK reports, Rush took an emergency flight to Australia to be with his wife, who is ill. HBO is hoping that the actor, who plays Sellers, will resume shooting this month.

"The production of HBO's The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers has reworked its shooting schedule to accommodate the temporary absence of its star Geoffrey Rush who has taken a brief hiatus to attend to personal family business," HBO said in a statement. "Full production is set to resume on June 23rd."

The film also stars Charlize Theron as the actress and former Mrs Sellers, Britt Ekland, along with Stephen Fry, Stanley Tucci and Emily Watson. Directed by Stephen Hopkins, the project is based on the book of the same name by Roger Lewis.