Production has officially begun on the “not really a Bob Dylan biopic” in New York City, according to director James Mangold. The film, titled A Complete Unknown, will follow Dylan’s journey from Minnesota to New York and his iconic performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Excitingly, the first photos of Timothée Chalamet in character as the legendary singer-songwriter have been released.
Originally set to start filming in August 2023, the project faced delays due to Hollywood strikes. However, it is now in full swing, with Chalamet capturing the essence of Dylan on set. Elle Fanning will be playing the role of Sylvie Russo, while Monica Barbaro will portray Joan Baez. Additionally, Nick Offerman has been cast as Alan Lomax, and Boyd Holbrook will be playing Johnny Cash. Benedict Cumberbatch was initially cast as Pete Seeger but had to step down due to the production delay, with Edward Norton taking on the role.
Mangold has expressed his excitement about the film, revealing that Chalamet will be showcasing his own singing talents. What’s more, the project has received the seal of approval from Bob Dylan himself. Mangold had the opportunity to spend time with Dylan, discussing the script and receiving personal annotations from the music icon.
With such a talented cast and the support of Bob Dylan, A Complete Unknown promises to be a captivating exploration of a specific moment in the legendary musician’s life.