Timothée Chalamet’s Ballsy Improv in 1 ‘A Complete Unknown’ Scene That Even Caught Director James Mangold Off Guard

Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, is about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! The film follows Dylan through his earliest folk music success until he started using electric instruments, which turned into a controversy. 

Upon release, the movie received positive reviews from the critics as well as the audience and was named as one of the top ten movies of 2024. Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan was highly praised, and he earned a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture and Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. Timothée Chalamet recently revealed how he studied the living legend for the movie.

Timothée Chalamet shares his prep for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown

Actor Timothée Chalamet is regarded as one of the most talented actors of the current generation who, over the years and movie after movie, has proved why he has the success and fame the way he does. In an interview with 60 Minutes, the actor revealed that he studied Bob Dylan for five years to perfect his role in the movie.

Chalamet was adamant that he did not want to imitate the singer but bring himself into the character. He said it was the tension for him doing a biopic on someone so beloved; 

Where does my heart fit in, and where does my soul fit into this? Can it fit into this, particularly with someone who was so masked?

Timothée Chalamet revealed that he was 23 years old when he was offered the role and had known very little about Bob Dylan. He had never met the singer, but he immersed himself in knowing the finest details about the singer before he started filming. He said,

I give 170% in everything I’m doing, no, ‘But,’ there. I’m giving it my all. Something like the Dylan project, these aren’t watered-down experiences. I’m going with Daniel Day-Lewis on all of them. I’m not saying in process, but I’m saying a level of commitment.

Chalamet learned how to play instruments and about 40 songs by the singer for the movie.

During the interview, the young actor shared that after coming across a particular clip of Bob Dylan singing on YouTube, he decided to slow it down and witnessed the singer observing Joan Baez. Chalamet added that it was fascinating to observe that.

Timothée Chalamet’s decision to sing and play live on set caught the filmmaker off guard

The actor, who has been a part of successful movies including Dune series, Call Me By Your Name, Wonka and more, once again proved that there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the top actors.

Chalamet had pre-recorded all the Bob Dylan songs that he sang in the movie, and they were supposed to be played back on set during the filming. He shared during the interview with 60 Minutes,

It always sounded too clean. The recording equipment’s too clean now; the guitars are too good. And Bob Dylan was drinking two bottles of red wine a day sometimes and smoking 30 packs of cigarettes.

The actor then decided to sing and play live on set, and he does it in a scene where Bob Dylan visits his terminally ill hero, folk legend Woody Guthrie, played by Scoot McNairy.

Filmmaker James Mangold was taken aback by Chalamet’s performance, but more because he nailed it in his first take.

There’s a moment in that scene right at the last stanza where he holds a note; that would never have happened if we’d used the playback track. What I see Timothée executing in the scene is the growth of confidence within the song, and so by the end of it, he is not only looking at Woody but holding it, which is something a grand diva would do.

Mangold added that one cannot tell someone to do something like that. Chalamet recalled and said he did not plan on playing that scene the way he did, adding that it would be disingenuous to the way he likes to act or approach his character. He noted that he’s never approached a character as intensely as he approached Bob Dylan.

Timothée Chalamet disconnected from his life for about two to two and a half months of filming. He wouldn’t meet anyone or speak to anyone at the time. While explaining, he concluded that he had respect for the material, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he remembered that he was lazy on a day when something went wrong.

His hard work was visible onto the screen which is why he received praise for his work.

A Complete Unknown will start streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV on February 25, 2025.