'Gangs of New York' Postponed

The Walt Disney-owned Miramax production company will postpone the highly-anticipated release of director Martin Scorsese's 60 million dollar "Gangs of New York" in the wake of the attacks September 11 on US targets.

The period drama about rival Italian and Irish gangs played out on the streets of Manhattan during the Civil War was to open December 21 but has been pushed back to spring 2002 at the earliest.

Miramax head Harvey Weinstein opted to replace the drama, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day Lewis, with "Kate and Leopold," a romantic comedy featuring Meg Ryan.

"Our decision to postpone the film's release is based on its setting in downtown Manhattan during the Civil War in the midst of the 1860s' draft riots--one of the most difficult and challenging times in American history," Weinstein said in a statement.

"In light of the ever-changing current events, we have chosen to err on the side of sensitivity and postpone the wide release of the film until 2002."

The studio is still debating whether to release the picture, heavily touted as a possible Oscar contender, for a limited run in New York and Los Angeles so it can qualify for this year's December 31 Oscar deadline.