Now a little more is known about “A Complete Unknown.”
Audiences will get to witness Timothée Chalamet’s transformation into Bob Dylan on December 25 for director/co-writer James Mangold‘s music biopic. The long-gestating feature had a stop-start production amid the pandemic, but now will debut in theaters just in time for awards buzz and festival play. While the Venice, TIFF, and NYFF lineups have been announced, there is no word yet where “A Complete Unknown” will have its world premiere. As of now, the film is not on any of the festival circuit, but it could still be a surprise centerpiece debut for a core festival.
“A Complete Unknown” is a Searchlight release.
The film is set in New York during the early 1960s. The official synopsis reads: “Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. As he forms his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement and, refusing to be defined, makes a controversial choice that culturally reverberates worldwide.”
In addition to Chalamet as Dylan, the cast includes Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie.
Chalamet also sings in live performances as Dylan. The actor previously showcased his real-life singing chops in “Wonka.”
“Walk the Line” helmer Mangold adapted the screenplay from Elijah Wald’s “Dylan Goes Electric!,” which was released in 2015. Mangold co-wrote the script with Jay Cocks.
Mangold told Rolling Stone that the film is truly a “strong ensemble piece” centered around Chalamet’s Dylan. He added that Chalamet emphasized the “burden” of talent that Dylan carries.
“Where Timmy also does something really quite profound is to show you his almost genetically predisposed discomfort with what his own great achievements then bring upon him and that, in terms of people wanting things, transactional relationships, or relationships that are tainted by the immense power and talent,” Mangold said.
“A Complete Unknown” is produced by Mangold, Chalamet, Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, and Jeff Rosen.
“A Complete Unknown” will be in theaters December 25.
