If you haven’t seen the paparazzi photos of Timothée Chalamet with a guitar swung over his shoulder on social media, let us be the first to inform you that James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” has already begun filming. Searchlight Pictures made it official today with a cast announcement that added Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Will Harrison, and Charlie Tahan to a growing ensemble. Chalamet, fresh off the back-to-back success of “Wonka” and “Dune: Part II,” is playing the iconic folk singer.
READ MORE: “A Complete Unknown”: Edward Norton replaces Benedict Cumberbatch as Pete Seeger
Previously announced cast members include Edward Norton as another legendary folk singer, Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as the one and only Joan Baez, and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, an early love interest of Dylan’s (likely inspired by Suze Rotolo). Other cast members include PJ Byrne, Eli Brown, Nick Pupo, Big Bill Morganfield, Laura Kariuki, Eric Berryman, David Alan Basche, Joe Tippett, and James Austin Johnson.
The film’s official synopsis current is as follows: “Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.”
In a statement from Searchlight Pictures, Mangold noted, “This film has been a dream for almost five years now and I am thrilled to start shooting and thankful for the support of Searchlight, Timothée and all the gifted actors who have come aboard to help create the unique world of this movie, set in such a pivotal moment of our culture and populated by such unique artists and characters. I am also profoundly grateful for the support of Bob Dylan and Jeff Rosen in helping Jay [Cocks] and me and the crew with their recollections, wisdom, and access to their incredible archives.”
Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures added, “With Jim at the helm, and this phenomenal group of actors, we could not be more excited to begin production on ‘A Complete Unknown,’ chronicling the early period of one of the greatest artists of our time, Bob Dylan.”
Holbrook reunites with Mangold after “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Logan.” His other credits include “The Predator,” “The Skeleton Twins” and “Narcos.” He stars in Jeff Nichols’ “Bikeriders” this summer.
McNairy’s credits include “Argo,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” “Blonde,” “C’mon C’mon,” and “Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood.” His next release is Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch” alongside Amy Adams.
“A Complete Unknown” is written by Mangold and Cocks and produced by Range’s Fred Berger, The Picture Company’s Alex Heineman, Veritas Entertainment Group’s Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, and Alan Gasmer, Bob Dylan’s longtime representative Jeff Rosen, Chalamet, and Mangold via his Turnpike Films. It is expected to be released sometime in 2025.