A Complete Unknown

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.
== 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.
== Cast ==
*Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
*Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez
*Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo
*Edward Norton as Pete Seeger
*Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash
*P. J. Byrne as Harold Leventhal
*Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie
*Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman
*Will Harrison as Bob Neuwirth
*Norbert Leo Butz as Alan Lomax
*Charlie Tahan
*Eli Brown
*Nick Pupo
*Big Bill Morganfield
*Laura Kariuki as Mavis Staples
*Eric Berryman
*David Alan Basche
*Joe Tippett
*James Austin Johnson
*Kayli Carter
*Sarah King as Barbara Dane
*Riley Hashimoto as Danny Seeger
== 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. By October, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had put the project into doubt. 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. Mangold had also met with Dylan about the film, and stated that he annotated the script while also providing notes to Chalamet. 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).
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. 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. Monica Barbaro would enter final negotiations to portray Joan Baez in April. In May, Elle Fanning was cast to play Sylvie Russo, with Mangold announcing Benedict Cumberbatch would be portraying Pete Seeger in the film. Barbaro would also be confirmed for her role, beginning singing and guitar lessons to prepare. 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. In October, P.J. Byrne was noted as being amongst the cast. In January 2024, Edward Norton was revealed to portray the role of Seeger, replacing Cumberbatch who left due to scheduling issues. Additional casting including Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler and Charlie Tahan was announced in March.
===Filming===
In April 2023, Mangold stated that principal photography would likely begin in August 2023 in New York City and Montreal, but filming was postponed in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. By early 2024, filming was scheduled to begin in late March 2024, and was expected to occur throughout New Jersey. Filming eventually began on March 16.
== External links ==
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== References ==
Category:Upcoming films
Category:American biographical drama films
Category:American historical drama films
Category:American musical drama films
Category:American rock music films
Category:Biographical films about musicians
Category:Cultural depictions of Bob Dylan
Category:Cultural depictions of Woody Guthrie
Category:Films about Bob Dylan
Category:Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
Category:Films based on non-fiction books
Category:Films directed by James Mangold
Category:Films produced by James Mangold
Category:Films set in 1961
Category:Films set in 1965
Category:Films set in Rhode Island
Category:Films shot in New Jersey
Category:Films shot in New York City
Category:Films with screenplays by James Mangold
Category:Films with screenplays by Jay Cocks
Category:Searchlight Pictures films
Category:Upcoming English-language films