"Million Dollar Baby" producer Albert S. Ruddy reportedly pushed back the release of his next film "Cloud Nine" so that it wouldn't affect the former film's success.

"Cloud Nine", which was supposed to be released last summer, stars Burt Reynolds as a sleazy con man who organises a ragtag band of strippers into a beach volleyball team, reported the New York Post.

Ruddy, 76, who produced "The Godfather", took his name off another of his recent projects and postponed "Cloud Nine" because he did not want the Academy voters to associate "Million..." with his other lowbrow flicks.

Hillary Swank won the best actress and Morgan Freeman won the best supporting actor award for their roles in "Million..." during this years' Oscar.