A Complete Unknown (film): Difference between revisions

Upcoming film by James Mangold

A Complete Unknown is an upcoming American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan‘s transition from folk music to rock. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez.

Development began under the title Going Electric with Chalamet cast in 2020, and it was later announced that Dylan’s manager Jeff Rosen would produce.^[1] As a result of the of the COVID-19 pandemic, production was reported to have been put on hold.^[2] Mangold and Chalamet confirmed that production will continue, and filming is set for August 2023. It was announced that Chalamet will be doing his own singing and had been learning to play the guitar since his casting.^[3]

The title stems from a lyric from Dylan’s 1965 song “Like a Rolling Stone.”

Premise[edit]

The film will follow Bob Dylan as a young poor musician appearing in the New York folk scene of the early 1960’s into the controversial Newport Folk Festival show in 1965 where he used an electric guitar and adopted rock influences.^[4]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

In early 2020, Mangold was announced to direct a Bob Dylan biopic with Searchlight Pictures distributing, starring Timothée Chalamet. Despite production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Mangold’s commitment to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Chalamet told Variety in November 2022 that he was still preparing for the role and that “the winds that are blowing are blowing in a very positive direction”. ^[5] In April 2023, Mangold confirmed that the film would likely begin production in August of that year.^[6]

In November 2022, it was reported that Christian Bale would portray folk singer Pete Seeger,^[7] however it was later published that Benedict Cumberbatch was now being sought for the role.^[8] It was rumored that Anya Taylor-Joy was involved,^[9] and in April 2023, Monica Barbaro was cast as Baez.

Mangold confirmed that the film would begin production in August.^[10]

Music[edit]

Chalamet, since his casting, had been taking lessons and learning to play the guitar.^[11] Mangold later confirmed that Chalamet would be not be lip-syncing and using his own voice.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]