Timothée Chalamet is set to portray the legendary Bob Dylan in the upcoming biopic 'A Complete Unknown,' directed by James Mangold. The film's first trailer showcases Chalamet's transformation into the iconic folk singer-songwriter, known for his influential role in the 1960s counter-culture movement.
Chalamet, who also showcases his singing talents in the film, follows in the footsteps of his Dune Part 2 co-star Austin Butler, who did his own singing for his role in Elvis. This marks a continuation of Chalamet's musical endeavors following his performance in 'Wonka.'
The movie, produced by Searchlight Pictures, delves into the early 1960s New York music scene, chronicling the rapid ascent of 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan to fame as a folk singer. The narrative traces Dylan's journey from intimate concert halls to topping the charts, with his songs and enigmatic persona captivating audiences worldwide. The film culminates in Dylan's groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
Joining Chalamet in the star-studded cast are Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman, P.J. Byrne as Harold Leventhal, Norbert Leo Butz as Alan Lomax, Will Harrison as Bob Neuwirth, and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie.
Director James Mangold, known for his work on 'Ford v Ferrari,' expressed his fascination with Dylan's story, highlighting the transformative period in American culture that the film explores. Mangold emphasized the allure of Dylan's meteoric rise from a struggling artist with minimal resources to a global sensation, navigating the folk music scene in New York before transcending it with his unparalleled success.