Blanchett, Gere, Ledger and Bale to play Dylan

Cate Blanchett’s next role is a bit out of character - not to mention out of gender. The actress will be one of six actors to portray singer/songwriter Bob Dylan in an upcoming biopic about him.

While at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday to promote Babel, Blanchett confirmed that she would be playing a young Dylan in the biopic called I'm Not There. She will be sharing the part with Heath Ledger, Richard Gere, Ben Wishaw and Christian Bale.

The movie, which also stars Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore and Charlotte Gainsbourg, will be directed by Todd Haynes, whose previous credits include Velvet Goldmine and Far From Heaven. Haynes said, "Bob Dylan was somebody who has rejected all of the various personas that he has embodied over the years. He continues to move forward by discarding himself, so my idea is to put together a film of multiple characters and tell their stories simultaneously."

Producers claim the movie will be a “ferocious musical romp� "evocation of Dylan's various persona, his public image and what he expresses in his songs." Shooting will begin in Montreal in July.