The first glimpse of “A Complete Unknown,” a film about Bob Dylan’s early years, has just been released. The teaser shows Timothée Chalamet stepping into the shoes of the legendary folk singer, with the movie set to hit theaters this December.
In the brief preview, we see Chalamet wandering through the streets of 1960s New York City, passing iconic spots like Cafe Wha? and Hotel Chelsea. What’s really impressive is hearing Chalamet sing Dylan’s powerful protest song “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”
To prepare for this challenging role, Chalamet dedicated himself to singing and guitar lessons.
Director James Mangold explains the film’s focus:
“It’s such an amazing time in American culture, and the story of a young, 19-year-old Bob Dylan coming to New York with, like, $2 in his pocket and becoming a worldwide sensation within three years.”
“A Complete Unknown” chronicles Dylan’s rapid rise to fame, culminating in his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival – a moment that shook the music world.
The cast is packed with talent. Monica Barbaro plays Joan Baez, Dylan’s collaborator and love interest, while Elle Fanning portrays a character inspired by another of Dylan’s early girlfriends. We’ll also see Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.
Interestingly, the 83-year-old Bob Dylan himself has been involved in the project, offering notes on the script and meeting with Mangold several times. This involvement adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film.
“A Complete Unknown” began filming in March, with photos of Chalamet in character quickly going viral on social media.
You can watch the full teaser below.