Timothee Chalamet has said portraying Bob Dylan in the upcoming biopic A Complete Unknown is the film and role he is “most proud of”.
The Hollywood actor, who has starred in sci-fi epic Dune and period drama Little Women, plays a young Dylan in the early days of his career in New York City, culminating in the influential folk singer’s famed performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
The 28-year-old admitted he was not aware of the scale of Dylan’s impact until working on the project, but he is now “deeply passionate” about the musician.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, he said: “I didn’t know much about Dylan but now, having worked on it for so long, I really worship at the church of Bob.
“I am deeply passionate about this man and his work. My friends are tired of hearing me talk about him ad nauseam.
“This man has been so impactful on culture, and this film and this role are the ones I am most proud of.”
Chalamet revealed he never got the chance to meet Dylan as he is an “elusive, mysterious figure” and a “man of few words”, but he would be keen to.
“I am very respectful that it is true to his character that I would never get to meet him”, he said.
Dylan has previously given Chalamet his seal of approval, writing on social media: “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.”
During recent premieres of the film, Chalamet has been channelling looks from Dylan’s archive, including sporting blond locks at the New York event in tribute to the musician’s look at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.
The project was originally due to be made more than five years ago but it was delayed due to the pandemic and the actors’ strike last year.
However, the delay has given Chalamet more time to practise his live singing for the role.
“I was confident about singing and by the time we got to do the film I wanted to sing and play the songs live”, he said.
The James Mangold-directed film also stars US actress Elle Fanning as love interest Sylvie Russo.
A Complete Unknown is due in UK cinemas on January 17.
The Graham Norton Show will air on BBC One on Friday at 10.40pm.
