Crowe hot in bookies' odds for Oscars

New Zealand-born Russell Crowe has edged out Hollywood star Tom Hanks to emerge the favourite for an Oscar, according to the bookies.

Crowe has been picked as an even money chance by the Las Vegas oddsmaker Lenny Del Genio for his Gladiator role, ahead of Hanks, who is listed at 2 to 1 for his part as a plane crash survivor in Castaway.

Among other favourites are Michael Douglas at 5 to 1 for Wonder Boys, Australian Geoffrey Rush at 7 to 1 for Quills and Ed Harris at 10 to 1 for Pollock.