Weinsteins' secure Dylan biopic rights

Jan 3, 2007, 14:10 GMT

Bob Dylan REUTERS/Lee Celano

The film rights to the biopic of Bob Dylan's life have been obtained by the Weinstein Company - the corporation the musician is threatening to sue.

The film production company has bought the rights to 'I'm Not There' - a biopic of Dylan's life starring Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Michelle Williams and Julianne Moore - and are delighted with their acquisition.

Owner Harvey Weinstein said: "Bob Dylan has lived an unbelievable and, at times, an elusive life. He has countless fans who will now be able to really gain insight into his fascinating life."

'I'm Not There' sees Dylan played by Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Christian Bale in different phases of his career.

Dylan's lawyers recently sent a stern letter to the Weinstein Company claiming their new movie 'Factory Girl' unfairly portrays him as being partly responsible for the death of his young muse Edie Sedgwick - who overdosed on barbiturates in 1971 - by breaking her heart.

The company has hit back at the musician's claims and have a video statement from Edie's brother stating she never fully recovered from her split with Dylan.

'Factory Girl' stars Sienna Miller as Edie, Guy Pearce as Andy Warhol and Hayden Christensen as a folk-singer who is not called Bob Dylan, but performs in the musician's trademark harmonica brace and fishing cap.

(C) BANG Media International