Stars take Equity rates in Dylan film

A host of Hollywood stars are to take a pay cut to appear in Bob Dylan's new film Masked and Anonymous.

Penelope Cruz, Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, John Goodman and Mickey Rourke have all agreed to be paid Equity's minimum rate to appear in the folk legend's BBC-funded film, according to the Daily Telegraph

The film, which started filming in secret last week, is set in a post-apocalyptic country where law and order has broken down, and will see the 60-year-old singer play an ageing rock star who is released from prison for a day to play one last concert in the hope of saving the world. The soundtrack promises to feature at least 30 minutes of some classic Dylan tracks.

Penelope Cruz will play a prostitute in the film, and Jeff Bridges a journalist. Jessica Lange will be a concert promoter and Goodman the singer's agent.
Larry Charles, who co-produced the hugely successful TV show Seinfeld, will direct.

Dylan's film career up until now has proved relatively unsuccessful. His last two big films, Renaldo and Clara (1978) and Hearts of Fire (1987) were poorly received by the critics and it is believed that Dylan wants this project to be a low key affair with the minimum of fuss and publicity.

It is hoped the film will be ready to showcase at next year's Sundance and Cannes film festivals.