Being the biggest selling film of all time has not guaranteed James Cameron’s Avatar the Oscar for best film it seems, Avatar remains second favourite behind Iraq war film The Hurt Locker.

The Hurt Locker is slight odds on favourite with the bookies while Avater just behind in the markets at slight odds against.

The other eight nominees have not been given much chance and usually the bookies get it spot on, it is rare for there to be an upset at The Oscars.

But it does happen and Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards has been touted in some quarters as a potential live outsider.

The Oscars kicks off Sunday evening in Los Angeles.