Cate Blanchett didn't work with Woody Allen because she wants an Oscar. The actress has been tipped to win an Academy Award for her lead role in Woody's latest film, Blue Jasmine, but played the rumors down at the film's Australian premiere in Sydney.

Cate - who already won an Oscar in 2005 for her role in The Aviator alongside Leonardo DiCaprio - said, "I don't think anyone enters into an exchange with Woody thinking about that as an outcome. I think along with those actresses he's created a number of iconic, strange, weird and wonderful women that have been on celluloid."

The 44-year-old star admitted she hadn't initially read the script to the film, but didn't need long to consider working with the director, who has previously taken home five Oscars: "I think most people [want to sign up immediately] when they hear Woody Allen wants to work with them. Apart from being a great filmmaker and auteur, he's an incredible dramatist."

Blue Jasmine follows an elite New York City housewife who loses her wealth and powerful status when her businessman husband - played by Alec Baldwin - is found guilty of running an investment scam.