Cate's tribute to Heath - Jan 28 2008
Cate Blanchett has paid tribute to actor Heath Ledger, saying he was a "master" in the making.

The pregnant 38-year-old starred in the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There with the fellow Australian actor, although they didn't shoot any scenes with one another.

"I'd like to pay special tribute to Heath Ledger who I think was an extraordinary actor and was well on the way to being a master himself," she said after accepting the Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Cate added: "I didn't have the great fortune of working with him but the last image I have, just this strong image, would be him dancing the first day he arrived on set. He was just so joyful and I just admire the way he kept evolving as an actor.

"I think it's a tragic, tragic loss and everyone is reeling. We will all miss you enormously."

The film's director Todd Haynes also expressed his shock at the tragedy.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy. Heath was a true artist, a deeply sensitive man, an explorer, gifted and wise beyond his years. There was no finer person on this earth," he said in a statement.
www.imnotthere-movie.com

Cate’s Dylan challenge - Dec 20 2007
Cate Blanchett has revealed how difficult it was playing Bob Dylan in the biopic, I’m Not There.

"The challenge for me has been - the film is a composite - so it’s almost each of us is inhabiting a different part of his outward persona and imagining what the inward persona of Dylan could possibly be. And that through the juxtaposition of those things, you have a whole," she says.

The Australian star takes off her Elizabeth: The Golden Age crown to play Jude Quinn, a portrayal of the music legend during the Electric era in the mid-60s.

"The silhouette that I’m playing, which is important to Todd (director Todd Haynes), is supposed to be one of the most iconic silhouettes, and then you’ve got to invent a character but yet be true to that silhouette," explains the 38-year-old.

"But the voice that’s coming out of my voice is a man’s voice sung by someone else, but the idea is Dylan, and yet the character is Jude Quinn - so it’s this weird hybrid."

I’m Not There hits UK screens on December 21.

Cate pregnant with third child - Nov 5 2007
Cate Blanchett is pregnant with her third child.

The actress confirmed the news to the Sydney Morning Herald at the Sydney premiere of her film Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Informed of rumours that she is carrying a boy, Cate reportedly said: "You know more than me. It’s early days yet. It’s due in April."

The 38-year-old Australian and her writer-director husband, Andrew Upton, already have two sons - Dashiell, 5, and Roman, 3.

In the past, Cate has made no secret of the fact that she wanted more kids, recently telling W magazine that she was "not going to wait forever...God, I’d love it to be now. I’d love it to be next week."

But whatever happens, Cate will largely bring up her new baby in Australia - she and her husband will be co-directors of the Sydney Theatre Company.

The decision will mean a more permanent base for her children, especially her older son Dashiell.

"He’s five now," she said. "He needs to be settled, and I respect that."



Cate shines at Golden Age premiere- Oct 24 2007
Cate Blanchett gave a regal performance on the red carpet at the premiere of her new film about Queen Elizabeth I.