Gwyneth Dietrich?

Reports indicate that Gwyneth Paltrow has signed up to play screen legend Marlene Dietrich.

17:21 27 May 2004

Reports indicate that Gwyneth Paltrow has signed up to play screen legend Marlene Dietrich.

And the Oscar winning actress been given some pretty strong backing for the role.

Peter Riva, Dietrich's grandson, said Paltrow is almost alone amongst current actresses in being able to play the part.

"She has the stillness required in an aristocrat, and the ability to plumb the depths of character without too much emotion, which was Marlene's trademark," he said.

"Like Marlene, she has the kind of body designers love to hang clothes on. And while Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald taught Marlene to maximize her limited vocal range, Gwyneth is a much better singer. She'll just have to sultry up her voice a bit."

Variety has said that the new film will be based around a book about Dietrich written by her daughter Maria Riva.