Timothée Chalamet Dazzles as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” Teaser Trailer
The official teaser trailer for James Mangold’s much-anticipated film “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic folk singer Bob Dylan, has been released. This biographical drama captures Dylan’s transformative early years in the New York music scene, leading up to his groundbreaking performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
The film, which also features Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, and Edward Norton, offers a fresh look at Dylan’s meteoric rise from a 19-year-old Minnesota musician to a worldwide sensation. Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan has already generated significant buzz, with fans eager to see how he embodies the legendary artist.
The teaser opens with Edward Norton’s Pete Seeger narrating, “Few months back, my friend Woody Guthrie and I, we met a young man. He dropped in on us outta nowhere, and he played us a song. And in that moment, we got a feeling we were getting a glimpse of the future.” This introduction sets the stage for Chalamet’s Dylan, who is seen performing the iconic protest song “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”
Director James Mangold, known for films like “Walk the Line” and “Logan,” describes “A Complete Unknown” not merely as a biopic but as an ensemble piece that captures the complex dynamics of Dylan’s relationships with other influential figures in the folk music scene. Elle Fanning plays Sylvie Russo, a character inspired by Dylan’s real-life girlfriend Suze Rotolo, while Monica Barbaro takes on the role of Joan Baez, and Edward Norton portrays Pete Seeger.
In his first in-depth interview about the film, Mangold revealed the challenges and joys of bringing Dylan’s story to life. He emphasized the importance of capturing the emotional essence of Dylan’s journey rather than striving for a perfect replication. “I didn’t want to turn Bob Dylan into a simple character with a simple thing to unlock that then makes you go, ‘Ah, now I get him,’” Mangold explained. “I’m much more interested in the wake that this person has left on others.”
Mangold also highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, with Chalamet fully embracing the role of Dylan. The extended preparation period due to COVID-19 allowed Chalamet to delve deeply into the character, honing his musical skills and understanding of Dylan’s persona. “If Timmy’s brave enough to stand out there and make himself vulnerable, throwing himself at this, I should be brave enough to stand behind the camera and shoot,” Mangold remarked.
The film, originally titled “Going Electric” and based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book “Dylan Goes Electric,” explores the significant moments that defined Dylan’s early career. From his arrival in New York in 1961 with only $12 in his pocket to his controversial switch to electric guitar at Newport, “A Complete Unknown” promises to be a compelling narrative of artistic evolution and personal transformation.
Scheduled for a potential December release, the film aims to capture the essence of Dylan’s influence on the music world and beyond. The production has been a meticulous process, with significant input from Dylan himself, ensuring an authentic portrayal of his life and legacy.