BLACKPOOL'S most famous film director is set to hit top Gere as he recruits stars for his latest blockbuster.

Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez are expected to join the cast of Peter Chelsom's next film, a romantic comedy called Shall We Dance?

The film will be an American remake of a 1996 Japanese hit. It tells the story of a man who asks an attractive young woman to teach him ballroom dancing. He does this primarily to impress her, but ends up instead saving his ailing marriage.

Gere and Lopez are currently in talks to play the pair, and would add to an already glittering roll-call of stars Peter has worked with.

Born and brought up in Blackpool, Peter trained as a photographer, but went on to spend three years at the Central School of Speech and Drama before becoming an actor.

His stage career saw him play leads at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Royal Court before the age of 30 and he also made appearances on television and in several films.

He switched to writing and directing, with several noted adverts and a short film before making his feature debut with Hear My Song in 1991. He returned to his roots in Blackpool with 1995's Funny Bones.

Funny Bones told the story of a comedian who returns to his native Blackpool after flopping in Las Vegas. It starred the likes of Jerry Lewis and the late Oliver Reed as well as British comedian, Lee Evans.

With that success behind him, Peter headed for Hollywood, where he helmed the Warren Beatty/Goldie Hawn comedy, Town & Country and, most recently, the John Cusack- hit, Serendipity.