Folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is officially getting his own biopic. Coming to theaters on December 25, 2024, “A Complete Unknown” stars Timothée Chalamet as he plays the life of Bob Dylan.
Bob Dylan is a world renowned singer, changing folk music as it is known today. With his 40 studio albums and 104 singles, he has won many music awards including many Grammys, an Oscar and an Academy Award. He was also in a band with Tom Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne called the Traveling Wilburys. He is still currently touring all around the globe at the age of 83.
“A Complete Unknown” is based on the book, “Dylan Goes Electric!” by Elijah Wood. The book was released on July 14, 2015, right before the anniversary of the historical Newport Folk Festival.
Finding someone to play such an important and specific role is a hard choice, but A-list celebrity Chalamet was eventually chosen to portray Dylan in the upcoming film. Chalamet has gained his fame from movies like “Dune,” “Lady Bird” and “Little Women.” The Golden Globe-nominated actor is loved by many fans for his performances and personality.
Sophomore Kat Molinaro says, “While Timothée looks a bit like Bob Dylan, I think there could’ve been a better actor to portray him.”
The movie follows young Dylan as he makes his rise to fame in New York City. When he goes from acoustic to electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival, his fans and listeners are upset with it, saying that the guitar drowns out his voice and his sets are much shorter. It shows how Dylan handles this controversy and his grasp on his new reality.
Senior Mason Kengor says “I got into Bob Dylan from other folk artists like Gordon Lightfoot, but my favorite song from Dylan is ‘Changing of the Guard.’”
Not only does the film display his unknown sense of reality, it also presents his relationship with both Suze Rotolo and singer Joan Baez. Rotolo’s name was changed to Sylvia Russo for the film because director James Mangold thought that as one of the non-celebrity characters, she doesn’t deserve the scrutiny that could come after the film releases.
Mangold has already made a name for himself in Hollywood; A director for films such as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “Ford v Ferrari” and “Girl, Interrupted,” he has earned many movie award nominations and wins.
Bob Dylan fans will be able to see “A Complete Unknown” on the big screen this holiday season!
