A Complete Unknown

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Cast & Characters

• Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
• Edward Norton as Pete Seeger
• Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo
  • Russo is based on Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend at the time. Though Dylan requested the film not use her real identity, Angie Martoccio of Rolling Stone described the Russo character as “Rotolo in all but name.”
• Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez
• Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash
• Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman
• Norbert Leo Butz as Alan Lomax
• Eriko Hatsune as Toshi Seeger
• Big Bill Morganfield as Jesse Moffette
• Will Harrison as Bob Neuwirth
• Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie
• P. J. Byrne as Harold Leventhal
• Michael Chernus as Theodore Bikel
• Charlie Tahan as Al Kooper
• Ryan Harris Brown as Mark Spoelstra
• Eli Brown as Mike Bloomfield
• Nick Pupo as Peter Yarrow
• Laura Kariuki as Becka
• Stephen Carter Carlsen as Paul Stookey
• Eric Berryman as Tom Wilson
• David Alan Basche as John Hammond
• Joe Tippett as Dave Van Ronk
• James Austin Johnson as Gerdes M.C.
• Kayli Carter as Maria Muldaur
• Sarah King as Barbara Dane
• Alaina Surgener as Gena Russo
• Will Price as Joe Boyd
• Molly Jobe as CBS Receptionist

Storyline

Set in the influential New York City music scene of the early 1960s, “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 as his songs and his mystique become a worldwide sensation that culminates in his groundbreaking electric rock-and-roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

About A Complete Unknown Movie

In January 2020, it was announced that James Mangold would write and direct a biopic about Bob Dylan, focusing on the pivotal moment when Dylan transitioned to electric guitars, a move that stirred significant controversy. Timothée Chalamet was cast to play Dylan, and at the time, the film was tentatively titled Going Electric. However, by October 2020, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had cast doubt on the project.

Despite the delays, Chalamet used the downtime to prepare for the role, learning to play the guitar and harmonica while conducting extensive research on Dylan’s life. He visited Dylan’s former homes in New York City and sought insights from director Joel Coen. Meanwhile, Mangold met with Dylan personally, incorporating notes and annotations provided by the music legend into the script.

In an October 2023 interview, Chalamet shared that he was working with the same vocal and movement coaches who had guided Austin Butler during his performance in Elvis (2022).

By November 2022, Chalamet confirmed his continued involvement in the project, which had regained traction. In February 2023, the film received its official title, A Complete Unknown, with Mangold set to commence work after completing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023).

The casting process accelerated in 2023, with Monica Barbaro entering negotiations to portray Joan Baez in April, followed by Elle Fanning joining as Sylvie Russo in May, a character inspired by Suze Rotolo. Mangold also announced Benedict Cumberbatch would portray Pete Seeger, though Edward Norton later replaced him in January 2024 due to scheduling conflicts. Boyd Holbrook joined the cast as Johnny Cash, while Norbert Leo Butz replaced Nick Offerman in the ensemble. P. J. Byrne was also confirmed for a role.

Mangold emphasized that A Complete Unknown is not solely a Dylan biopic but rather an ensemble drama reminiscent of Robert Altman’s storytelling style.

Initial plans for principal photography in August 2023, spanning New York City and Montreal, were delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming eventually began on March 16, 2024, with scenes set in New York City being shot in Jersey City. Production wrapped by late June 2024.

During the three-month shoot, Edward Norton praised Chalamet’s commitment to the role, describing him as “relentless.” Chalamet stayed in character as Dylan throughout filming, earning the nickname “Bob” on set, and was even listed as “Bob Dylan” on the call sheets.

A Complete Unknown Release Date

A Complete Unknown premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on December 10, 2024. It was released in the United States on December 25, 2024, and was then released in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2025. The film would top the box office during its first weekend in the UK and Ireland. The film would also have a limited IMAX engagement beginning January 3, 2025.

It was featured in the Limelight section of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam to be screened in February 2025. The film had its theatrical preview in France on 15 January 2025. It is due to be released in France on 29 January 2025.

Budget & Box Office Collection

Soundtracks

Awards & Nominations

It was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review, the latter of which also awarded Fanning Best Supporting Actress.

The film earned eight nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Chalamet), Best Supporting Actor (Norton), and Best Supporting Actress (Barbaro). It also received three nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards (including Best Motion Picture – Drama), three at the Critics Choice Awards (including Best Picture), four at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards (including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture) and six at the British Academy Film Awards (including Best Film).