Bacher tried to interest Fox, MGM and Paramount in the project, but all the studios turned it down, worried about the cost. The novel was published in 1950. The "Washington Post" called it a "trifle indigestible" although "ready for filming." William Bacher announced he wanted Glenn Ford to star in the film version. No movie resulted. Bacher teamed with Bert Freidlob and in 1953 managed to sell the project to Fox, who were looking for projects to make that would exploit their new CinemaScope technique. Talbot Jennings was hired to write the script. Freidlob wanted Jean Simmons, Susan Hayward or Eleanor Parker for the female lead and Gregory Peck or Tyrone Powerfor the male lead. He planned to shoot ninety percent of the film on location in South Africa and ten percent in Europe. Eventually Henry King was signed to star and Susan Hayward to star. King and Hayward left for Africa to film background footage in March 1954. In April he went to Ireland for some additional filming. Filming took place in Valley of a Thousand Hills. The unit returned to Hollywood and filming did not resume in the studio until mid July. "Untamed" was Tyrone Power's last film at Fox after 18 years. Victor Mature was meant to play the third lead, but refused and was put on suspension; Richard Egan played the part instead.