The legendary singer-songwriter stated that Chalamet is “a brilliant actor, so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me.” On the eve of the film’s LA premiere, Chalamet shared with Deadline that reading Dylan's words felt “really, really affirming.”
Regarding Dylan's thoughts on the project overall, Chalamet remarked, “It’s hard to tell. He’s a mysterious, elusive figure. If he or his team didn't want me to be a part of it, I would’ve known about that. But I didn’t really know how involved he would be.”
While writer-director Mangold has confirmed that Dylan has not yet seen the film, Chalamet noted that the musician “got creatively involved with Mangold, which was great; he gave his input on the script.” However, he also emphasized that the project is not intended to portray Dylan with exact precision. “It’s an interpretation,” he explained. “This was a fable. This was not meant to be a Wikipedia fact-for-fact recreation of how it was. Otherwise, you might as well just watch the footage that exists.” A Complete Unknown explores Dylan’s early rise in folk music up until he adopted the electric guitar and embraced rock. The screenplay is based on Elijah Wald's 2015 book, Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties. Edward Norton stars as Pete Seeger, with Monica Barbaro playing Joan Baez and Elle Fanning portraying Dylan's girlfriend Sylvie, a character renamed at Dylan's request.
“There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!). Timothee Chalamet is starring in the lead role. 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. The film’s taken from Elijah…” — Bob Dylan (@bobdylan)
Chalamet invested five years in preparation for his role, learning to play guitar and performing all the songs featured in the film himself. When asked if he has considered writing or performing music in the future, he said, “I never have in a serious way, but then there’s no such thing as serious writing.” On the topic of Dylan’s tendency to avoid the spotlight that comes with intense fame, Chalamet reflected, “I think it’s true for any creative probably. I was talking about this with a friend the other day; if you go to art school, or if you’re an aspiring actor or singer, ultimately it’s the lonely kid growing up who ever really had something to say. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t be a great artist otherwise. One could also have had a lot of friends growing up or a vibrant inner life. But often, it’s isolation, moments of repose, introspection, observation, or restlessness—in my case—that provide a voice. The trick that I think Bob mastered pretty quickly early on, as depicted in the movie—I can’t speak for him in real life—is to protect that. Sometimes, your encounters with those unfamiliar with your music or art can provide greater inspiration than those who are just sycophantic.”
