James Mangold’s ‘A Complete Unknown’: Everything We Know About The Bob Dylan Biopic So Far
With Timothée Chalamet’s next big film A Complete Unknown which arrived in theaters Christmas Day, many may be curious about the actors work and preparation for portraying musician Bob Dylan in the film as well as the film’s story parameters.
An ensemble cast will accompany Chalamet and portray musicians and other important figures in Bob Dylan’s life. For everything we know about A Complete Unknown, read on.
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When did A Complete Unknown come out in theaters?
The musical biopic arrived in theaters December 25, 2024, or Christmas Day.
What is A Complete Unknown about?
The film’s screenplay is based on Elijah Wald’s book Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan and the Night That Split the Sixties. The story follows iconic troubadour Bob Dylan as he creates a new sound in folk music and goes against convention in the context of other great singers.
Who is in the cast of A Complete Unknown?
Timothée Chalamet will portray Bob Dylan. Elle Fanning also stars as Sylvie Russo, changed from Dylan’s real-life former girlfriend Suze Rotolo. Monica Barbaro will portray Joan Baez, Edward Norton plays Pete Seeger and Boyd Holbrook portrays Johnny Cash. Scoot McNairy plays Woody Guthrie, and Dan Fogler plays Albert Grossman.
Does Timothée Chalamet actually sing in A Complete Unknown?
Yes, Chalamet pulled out all the stops vocally to fully embody Dylan as a singer.
Who else is behind A Complete Unknown?
Director James Mangold cowrote the screenplay with Jay Cocks. Both scribes have been twice nominated for Oscars. It is produced by Oscar nominee Fred Berger, p.g.a., Mangold, p.g.a., Alex Heineman, p.g.a., Bob Bookman, Peter Jaysen, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen, and Chalamet.
What has Bob Dylan said about A Complete Unknown?
Dylan read the script and gave very little feedback to Mangold about it. When asked about Chalamet portraying him, Mangold described the exchange as “super direct.”
RELATED: Edward Norton Calls Timothée Chalamet “Relentless” Playing Bob Dylan In Biopic
“I think he was aware of who he was,” Mangold told Deadline. “It was super simple. He goes, ‘Do you think he can do it?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ That was kind of the extent of it. It wasn’t like he doubted him. It was just like, ‘What do you think, coach? Is it going to work or not?’”
Bob Dylan tweeted about the film in early December, writing “There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!) Timothee Chalamet is starring in the lead role. Timmy’s a brillian actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.”
The singer also endorsed the book on which the film is based.
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