'Gangs of New York' release date moved up to Dec. 20

LOS ANGELES -- Miramax Films has avoided having Leonardo DiCaprio compete with himself by moving the release date of "Gangs of New York" to Dec. 20.

The Martin Scorsese epic initially was scheduled to open on Christmas Day, when it would have competed with another DiCaprio film, DreamWorks' "Catch Me If You Can."

Miramax announced last week that it would change the Dec. 25 "Gangs" release date.

With an estimated budget of $100 million, "Gangs of New York" is the most expensive film ever from Miramax. DiCaprio plays an Irish immigrant who gets caught up in political corruption, underworld violence and rioting in New York City during the Civil War. Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis co-star.

In Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can," DiCaprio plays a master con artist who assumes several identities while running from an FBI agent, played by Tom Hanks.

Miramax chief operating officer Rick Sands told The Associated Press that he was concerned about "Gangs" and "Catch Me" opening on the same day, but is comfortable with a five-day difference.

"They're completely different roles, the movies are both directed by master directors, but they have different styles," he said. "Had we been released on the same date, that would have been problematic. ... There would have been more comparisons."

Miramax didn't want to open "Gangs" any earlier in December because theater operators often shift films that open then to smaller screens as the busy holiday season approaches, Sands said.

"Gangs of New York" originally was set for release in December 2001, but was delayed until July and then late December 2002.

Despite the date change, both films still face plenty of competition. "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," the second film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, opens Dec. 18.

Also debuting Dec. 20 are "Antwone Fisher," Denzel Washington's directorial debut; "Two Weeks Notice," starring Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock; and the animated "The Wild Thornberrys," based on the popular Nickelodeon series.