MEG RYAN - WAR DELAYS MEG RYAN FILM

Hollywood star MEG RYAN's latest movie has been pulled over fears the war in Iraq will have an adverse effect on its popularity.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES has delayed the release of AGAINST THE ROPES - based on the true story of a woman boxing manager - indefinitely.

As a result of the continuing intensive war coverage in America, the studio was uncertain about buying advertising between TV shows which could be cancelled.

A Paramount spokesman says, "The issue is the advertising gets pre-empted, and you end up losing your message."

There are also worries that people are more interested in keeping abreast of the war on TV, causing the number of cinema-goers to fall.

But some experts are suggesting the war will not have a negative effect on the Box Office, and any downturn this weekend (22/23MAR03) could be down to the selection of films on offer.

Movie tracker PAUL DERGARABEDIAN says, "If this weekend is down versus last year (MAR02), it would be a knee-jerk reaction to say this is because of the war."