Ridley Scott's film Black Hawk Down has had its US release date brought forward and

will now be eligible for next year's Oscars.

Black Hawk Down stars Ewan McGregor, Josh Hartnett and Jason Isaacs.

It is an action-drama about the ill-fated 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia, during which 18 US Army Rangers were killed.

Black Hawk Down was originally due to be released in the US on March 1, but will now have a limited release in Los Angeles and New York on December 28. That makes it eligible for nomination for the Oscars in March.

According to Hollywood reports Ridley Scott showed the film to executives at the film studio two weeks ago and they made the decision to release it early.

The film is due to be released in the UK next year.