Timothée Chalamet, 28, fully understood the weight of portraying Bob Dylan in the biopic A Complete Unknown. Determined to honor Dylan’s legacy, the actor adopted a semi-Method approach, dedicating himself to the role.
Timothée Chalamet’s Intense Focus During Filming
“I would go to sleep in a panic, worried about losing the character’s sense of discovery—no matter how pretentious that might sound—due to distractions like my phone. For three months, after five years of preparation, Dylan was my sole focus. He deserved that level of commitment and more.”
Chalamet added humorously, “God forbid I slipped up because I was being myself. I’ve got the rest of my life to be Timmy!”
Singing Live as Bob Dylan
In a newly released clip, Chalamet is shown performing live as Dylan. Reflecting on Dylan’s boldness in defying expectations, the actor sought to channel that same spirit in his portrayal.
A Long Road to Preparation
Chalamet admitted he was unfamiliar with Dylan’s work when he was first cast. Originally scheduled to have four months of preparation, the pandemic and subsequent Hollywood strikes extended that timeline to five years. During this period, he became what he calls a “devoted disciple in the Church of Bob.”
Although Chalamet has never met Dylan in person, he immersed himself in extensive research. His training included sessions with vocal, guitar, dialect, movement, and harmonica coaches. Reflecting on the effort, Chalamet said, “I had to push the preparation as far as possible, both physically and mentally, to feel ready.”
Timothée Chalamet’s Relentless Dedication on Set
Costar Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez, noted Chalamet often stayed in his own world while filming. Although not fully Method, he guarded his mindset fiercely. Edward Norton, who plays Pete Seeger, praised Chalamet’s focus, saying, “No visitors, no friends, no reps—nothing. We agreed: no audience for this. It had to feel as real as possible.”
Chalamet credits this mindset to lessons learned from experienced actors he’s worked with, such as Christian Bale in Hostiles and Oscar Isaac in Dune. “Great actors protect their process,” he explained, calling the role a “tightrope walk.”
About A Complete Unknown
Directed by James Mangold and co-written with Jay Cocks, A Complete Unknown explores the early years of Bob Dylan’s career, starting in the 1960s. It spans his rise from a 19-year-old folk musician to his game-changing rock performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
The film also dives into Dylan’s relationships with key figures like Pete Seeger (played by Norton), Joan Baez (Barbaro), and Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), a character inspired by Suze Rotolo. Director Mangold explained that while Dylan is the central figure, the supporting cast’s interactions with him are vital to the story: “Each character profoundly impacts one another. They are all talents rising to stardom during a turbulent time in American history.”
A Complete Unknown* will arrive in theaters on December 25, 2024, offering a deep dive into the formative years of an iconic artist.
