HOLLYWOOD -- British director Peter Chelsom hopes Quentin Tarantino has nerves of steel and a will of iron.

Tarantino has announced his much-anticipated next film Kill Bill will star Warren Beatty.

Chelsom directed Beatty in this spring's critical and box-office disaster Town & Country.

The film ran over budget and had its release date changed three times. When it surfaced in April, critics and audiences were quick to dismiss it even though it starred Beatty, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Jenna Elfman, Gary Shandling and Josh Hartnett.

Chelsom is trying to be circumspect when he says "there were things I did wrong with that movie and I admit it, but I wish Warren would admit some of it was his fault as well."

The week Town & Country premiered, Beatty issued a press release saying he was "in no way responsible for the delays or budget overruns."

Chelsom will not confirm or deny the reports Beatty wanted numerous rewrites to make his character more sympathetic and demanded his scenes be reshot until he was satisfied with his appearance and performance.

"I remember when we came back for one of our many reshoots, Diane Keaton took me aside and said I should take comfort in the knowledge I'd never have it this bad again."

Chelsom says Keaton's prediction was fulfilled when he began work on Serendipity, the John Cusack-Kate Beckinsale romantic comedy which opens Oct. 5.

"It was a joy to work once again on a film where there was an atmosphere of co-operation and harmony," says Chelsom.


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