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A Complete Unknown

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A Complete Unknown
Teaser poster
Directed byJames Mangold
Screenplay by
Based onDylan Goes Electric!
by Elijah Wald
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPhedon Papamichael
Edited by
Production
companies
Distributed bySearchlight Pictures
Release date
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25) (United States)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Complete Unknown is an upcoming American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jay Cocks. It is based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald. The film is about the controversy surrounding the switch to electrically amplified instrumentation by Bob Dylan. Timothée Chalamet stars as Dylan and also serves as producer. It also stars Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro.

A Complete Unknown is scheduled to be released in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on December 25, 2024.

Cast

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Production

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Pre-production

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It was announced in January 2020 that James Mangold would be writing and directing a biopic about Bob Dylan, specifically centered on the controversy surrounding his switch to electric guitars, with Timothée Chalamet cast as Dylan. At this time, the film was referred to as Going Electric.[7] By October, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had put the project into doubt.[8] Chalamet regardless spent time researching Dylan during the pandemic, visiting former homes of Dylan in New York City and consulting director Joel Coen during this time.[9][10] Mangold had also met with Dylan about the film, and stated that he annotated the script while also providing notes to Chalamet.[11] In an October 2023 interview, Chalamet stated he was working with the same team of vocal and movement coaches that worked with Austin Butler for his performance in Elvis (2022).[12]

In November 2022, Chalamet stated he was still attached to the film and actively preparing for it, the project having gained momentum again after stalling.[13] In February 2023, the film was officially titled A Complete Unknown, and it was stated that Mangold would begin work on the project following his obligations to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.[14] Monica Barbaro would enter final negotiations to portray Joan Baez in April.[15] In May, Elle Fanning was cast to play Sylvie Russo,[16] a character based on Suze Rotolo,[17] with Mangold announcing Benedict Cumberbatch would be portraying Pete Seeger in the film.[18] Barbaro would also be confirmed for her role, beginning singing and guitar lessons to prepare.[19] Mangold would state in July that the film was not necessarily focused on being a Dylan biopic, but an ensemble drama in the vein of Robert Altman. Boyd Holbrook and Nick Offerman would also join the cast in that time.[11] In October, P.J. Byrne was noted as being amongst the cast.[20] In January 2024, Edward Norton was revealed to portray the role of Seeger, replacing Cumberbatch who left due to scheduling issues.[21] Additional casting was announced in March.[1]

Filming

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In April 2023, Mangold stated that principal photography would likely begin in August 2023 in New York City and Montreal,[22] but filming was postponed in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[23] By early 2024, filming was scheduled to begin in late March 2024, and was expected to occur throughout New Jersey, with scenes set in New York City being filmed in Jersey City.[24][25] Filming eventually began on March 16.[26] Production wrapped by late June 2024.[27][17][28]

Release

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In July 2024, a teaser trailer was released.[29][30] The official trailer was released in October.[31] The film will premiere in the United States on December 25, 2024.[32]

See also

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  • I'm Not There, a 2007 experimental biopic inspired by the life of Bob Dylan, directed by Todd Haynes.
  • No Direction Home, a 2005 documentary film about Bob Dylan, his emergence in Greenwich Village's 1960s folk scene, and his transition to electric music, directed by Martin Scorsese.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (March 25, 2024). "Searchlight's A Complete Unknown Adds Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Will Harrison & Charlie Tahan". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Feinberg, Scott (September 30, 2024). "Oscar Predictions via Feinberg Forecast: Scott's Read of the Race as September Comes to a Close". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 20, 2023). "Prolific 'La La Land' Producer Automatik Merges With Range Media Partners". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Timothee Chalamet, Ed Norton In Hoboken For Filming Of Bob Dylan Biopic: NEW PHOTOS". Hoboken, NJ Patch. May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Timothee Chalamet's Bob Dylan Film Shoots In Hoboken Park (PHOTOS)". Hoboken, NJ Patch. April 13, 2024. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Marquez, Lorenzo (May 29, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet on Set Filming A COMPLETE UNKNOWN in Hoboken". Tom + Lorenzo. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (January 6, 2020). "James Mangold To Direct Timothée Chalamet As Bob Dylan In Searchlight Drama About Icon's Move From Folk To Rock Music". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  8. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (October 25, 2020). "Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan Biopic Not Happening Anytime Soon, Says DP". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Taysom, Joe (June 3, 2021). "How Timothee Chalamet prepared to play the role of Bob Dylan". Far Out. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  10. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (May 15, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Is Channeling His Viral High School Rap Persona for A Complete Unknown Bob Dylan Biopic". Indiewire. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Bergeson, Samantha (July 5, 2023). "James Mangold Confirms Bob Dylan Gave Timothée Chalamet Notes on A Complete Unknown". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Riley, Daniel (October 17, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Goes Electric". GQ. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (November 15, 2022). "Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell Will Eat You Alive: How Bones and All Became the Year's Sexiest Cannibal Love Story". Variety. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  14. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Kroll, Justin (February 1, 2023). "James Mangold Circling Swamp Thing Film; Bob Dylan Pic Still Focus Following Indiana Jones Sequel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Kit, Borys (April 27, 2023). "Monica Barbaro in Final Talks to Join Timothée Chalamet in Bob Dylan Biopic A Complete Unknown (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  16. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 15, 2023). "Elle Fanning Joins Timothée Chalamet In Searchlight Pictures' A Complete Unknown". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Ross, Charley (July 4, 2024). "Elle Fanning: 'I've grown into myself and found my voice'". Glamour. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Hammond, Pete (May 19, 2023). "Inside The Party As Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bob Iger And Others Celebrate Launch Of Final Indy Late Into The Night At Cannes Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  19. ^ Scorizello, Sophia (May 25, 2023). "Monica Barbaro on Fubar and Her Father-Daughter Dynamic With Co-Star Arnold Schwarzenegger: 'We'd Argue With Smiles on Our Faces'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  20. ^ Melissa, Billie (October 17, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Reveals He's Working With Elvis Prep Team for Bob Dylan Portrayal". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  21. ^ Kroll, Justin; Fleming Jr, Mike (January 25, 2024). "Edward Norton To Play Pete Seeger In James Mangold's Bob Dylan Pic A Complete Unknown As Benedict Cumberbatch Departs Project Due To Scheduling". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  22. ^ McPherson, Christopher (April 7, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Will Do His Own Singing in Bob Dylan Biopic". Collider. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "22 Biggest Upcoming Movies That The Actors Strike Affects (& Which Could Be Delayed)". ScreenRant. July 14, 2023. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Kuperinsky, Amy (March 5, 2024). "Bob Dylan movie starring Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown, filming in N.J." NJ.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  25. ^ City of Jersey City. "Jersey Ave., Near Van Vorst Park, was transformed into 1960s Greenwich Village". Twitter. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  26. ^ McPherson, Chris (March 17, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet Is 'A Complete Unknown in Bob Dylan Biopic Set Images". Collider. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Davis, Clayton (July 27, 2024). "Telluride 2024: Literary Adaptations 'Conclave,' 'Piano Lesson' and Musicals 'Better Man,' 'The End' Expected for World Premieres". Variety. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  28. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (July 15, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet to Star in Josh Safdie, A24 Movie About Ping Pong Pro Marty Reisman (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  29. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (July 24, 2024). "'A Complete Unknown' Trailer: Timothée Chalamet Transforms Into Bob Dylan and Sings 'A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  30. ^ Ntim, Zac (July 24, 2024). "'A Complete Unknown' Trailer: Timothée Chalamet Is A Singing, Smoking Bob Dylan In First Look At James Mangold's Musical Biopic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (October 8, 2024). "'A Complete Unknown' Trailer: Timothée Chalamet Is Tangled Up in Bob Dylan's Blues". IndieWire. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 6, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet Bob Dylan Searchlight Movie 'A Complete Unknown' Gets Christmas Release". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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