A Complete Unknown

Last updated

A Complete Unknown
Directed by James Mangold
Screenplay by
Based onDylan Goes Electric!
by Elijah Wald
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Phedon Papamichael
Production
companies
Distributed by Searchlight Pictures
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Complete Unknown is an upcoming American biographical historical drama film directed by James Mangold and written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, 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 portrays Dylan and also serves as producer.

Contents

Premise

The film follows 19-year-old Bob Dylan’s arrival to New York City in 1961 seeking to find his hero, an ailing Woody Guthrie. He is embraced by the New York folk scene (Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and others) who recognize his talent. He finds gigs in downtown clubs and soon becomes a sensation, under contract at Columbia Records. The film follows Dylan's ascendance into a cultural phenomenon, his strong relationships in the folk music world and his ultimate transition away from folk music, forming a band, confusing his fans and disappointing the music community who first took him in. [3]

Cast

Production

Pre-production

It was announced in January 2020 that James Mangold would be writing and directing a biopic about Bob Dylan, specifically centred around 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. [5] By October, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had put the project into doubt. [6] 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. [7] [8] Mangold had also met with Dylan about the film, and stated that he annotated the script while also providing notes to Chalamet. [9] 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). [10]

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. [11] 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 . [12] Monica Barbaro would enter final negotiations to portray Joan Baez in April. [13] In May, Elle Fanning was cast to play Sylvie Russo, [14] with Mangold announcing Benedict Cumberbatch would be portraying Pete Seeger in the film. [15] Barbaro would also be confirmed for her role, beginning singing and guitar lessons to prepare. [16] Mangold would state in July that the film wasn't 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. [9] In October, P.J. Byrne was noted as being amongst the cast. [17] In January 2024, Edward Norton was revealed to portray the role of Seeger, replacing Cumberbatch who left due to scheduling issues. [18] Additional casting including Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler and Charlie Tahan was announced in March. [1]

Filming

In April 2023, Mangold stated that principal photography would likely begin in August 2023 in New York City and Montreal, [19] but filming was postponed in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [20] By early 2024, filming was scheduled to begin in late March 2024, and was expected to occur throughout New Jersey. [21] Filming eventually began on March 16. [22]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Grobar, Matt (March 25, 2024). "Searchlight's A Complete Unknown Adds Boyd Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Will Harrison & Charlie Tahan". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  2. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 20, 2023). "Prolific 'La La Land' Producer Automatik Merges With Range Media Partners". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  3. ↑ "James Mangold's 'A Complete Unknown' Starts Production This Month". World of Reel. August 19, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Timothee Chalamet's Bob Dylan Film Shoots In Hoboken Park (PHOTOS)". Hoboken, NJ Patch. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  5. ↑ 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 . Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (October 25, 2020). "Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan Biopic Not Happening Anytime Soon, Says DP". IndieWire . Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  7. ↑ Taysom, Joe (June 3, 2021). "How Timothee Chalamet prepared to play the role of Bob Dylan". Far Out . Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (May 15, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Is Channeling His Viral High School Rap Persona for A Complete Unknown Bob Dylan Biopic". Indiewire . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Bergeson, Samantha (July 5, 2023). "James Mangold Confirms Bob Dylan Gave Timothée Chalamet Notes on A Complete Unknown". IndieWire . Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  10. ↑ Riley, Daniel (October 17, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Goes Electric" . GQ . Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ 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 . Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. ↑ 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 . Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ 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 . Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 15, 2023). "Elle Fanning Joins Timothée Chalamet In Searchlight Pictures' A Complete Unknown". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  15. ↑ 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 . Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  16. ↑ 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 . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  17. ↑ Melissa, Billie (October 17, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Reveals He's Working With Elvis Prep Team for Bob Dylan Portrayal". Men's Journal . Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ 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 . Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ↑ McPherson, Christopher (April 7, 2023). "Timothée Chalamet Will Do His Own Singing in Bob Dylan Biopic". Collider . Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  20. ↑ "22 Biggest Upcoming Movies That The Actors Strike Affects (& Which Could Be Delayed)". ScreenRant. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ Kuperinsky, Amy (March 5, 2024). "Bob Dylan movie starring Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown, filming in N.J." NJ.com . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  22. ↑ McPherson, Chris (March 17, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet Is 'A Complete Unknown in Bob Dylan Biopic Set Images". Collider . Retrieved March 17, 2024.
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