Kill Bill To Enter Oscar Race - Twice

Maverick director Quentin Tarantino's upcoming two-part movie Kill Bill will be eligible for awards in two separate OSCAR years - effectively meaning the film could win two best picture gongs.

The marital arts revenge saga starring Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu was originally planned as a single movie, but because of its length, Tarantino and MIRAMAX FILMS decided to split it in two, and open the first part in America this October (03).

Originally studio insiders believed the second installment would follow soon after, qualifying it for the same Academy Awards ceremony next March (04).

However, Miramax have confirmed the second volume will be released on 20 February (04), meaning it can only be considered for nomination at the Oscars in 2005.

The decision to split the film has angered American critics, who argue the decision is just a money-making ploy to earn twice as much in ticket sales. Miramax has hit back, insisting the movie was too long to remain a single entity.