One of humanity’s greatest songwriting gifts, Bob Dylan’s biopicA Complete Unknownopens in theaters on Christmas Day. The prestigious awards darling stars Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, a supremely talented folk singer/songwriter who came of age in New York City in 1961 and left an indelible mark on the music scene. Often hailed as the greatest songwriter of all time,A Complete Unknownis loaded with more than one familiar face.
In addition to Chalamet transforming his face and body posture for the lead role, his supporting cast members also underwent dramatic makeup and costume transformations to bring their real-life musicians to life. As such, it’s always amusing to see how well the casting and makeup department achieved their assignment of making their characters resemble their real-life counterparts.
A Complete Unknown
Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
Timothée Chalametstarsas legendary folk singer/songwriterBob DylaninA Complete Unknown, a narrowly focused biopic directed by James Mangold. Instead of a sweeping cradle-to-grave biography, the story concentrates on a formative four-year period from 1961 to 1965, when Dylan gained fame by performing at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. As enigmatic as he is talented, Dylan’s soulful contributions to the American music scene are incalculable.
Chalamet is among the finest young actors working today, recently carrying the two-part Dune epic for Denis Villeneuve. With an Oscar nod for his breakout turn inCall Me By Your Name, Chalamet’s credits includeInterstellar, Lady Bird, Beautiful Boy, Bones and All, Wonka, Little Women, Don’t Look Up,andThe French Dispatch.AfterA Complete Unknown,Chalamet will star inMarty Supremefor director Josh Safdie.
Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo
Elle FanningportraysSylvie RussoinA Complete Unknown.Sylvie is based on Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s real-life girlfriend whose name he asked to have changed for the movie. As Dylan adjusts to New York’s big city lights away from his modest Minnesota hometown, Sylvie helps him navigate his new environment, fortune, and fame. As a talented artist, Dylan has cited Sylvie (Rotolo) as a significant influence on his songwriting.
Beginning her career as a child actor inI Am Sam, Fanning is an extremely talented and accomplished actor with roughly 70 credits. Fanning’s notable work includesSuper 8, Somewhere, Maleficent, The Neon Demon, The Beguiled, Mary Shelley, Teen Spirit, The Great, 20th Century Women, and more. Fanning and Chalamet previously worked together onA Rainy Day in New York. Fanning has an additional six upcoming projects,includingPredator: Badlands.
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Edward Norton as Pete Seeger
Edward NortonplaysPete Seeger, an influential folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist in the 1960s. Before going solo, Seeger wrote hit songs as a member of The Weavers, a band that was blacklisted for being communists during the McCarthy era. When Seeger returned to music, he led protest songs as a political activist and befriended Dylan, Sylvie, and the other budding folk singers of the era. Norton sang and played guitar live while the cameras were rolling.
A highly versatile actor with few flaws,Norton is an Academy Award nomineewho starred in some of the best movies ever. Following his staggering debut inPrimal Fear,Norton has given electric performances in everything fromAmerican History XandFight ClubtoRoundersandBirdman. Less-known outstanding works includeLeaves of Grass, Down in the Valley, The Illusionist, 25th Hour, The People vs. Larry Flynt,and a host of Wes Anderson movies.
Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez
Monica Barbaroplaysfamous folk singer/songwriterJoan Baez, one of the most poetic and instrumental voices in the ’60s New York folk music scene. A counterculture icon known for her social justice messaging and political protest songs, Baez had a lasting imprint on the artistic expressions of the time. Beyond her original compositions, Baez was among the first to record and perform Dylan’s songs, which helped to increase his popularity.
With 35 credits since 2012, Barbaro is a fast-rising actor with plenty of movie and TV experience. Fans may recall her role as Anna Valdez inChicago JusticeandChicago P.D.Additional credits includeFUBAR, At Midnight, Top Gun: Maverick, Splitting Up Together, UnReal,Stumptown, and more. Next, Barbaro will play Meagan in Zack Snyder’sArmy of the Dead: Lost VegasTV series.
Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash
Boyd Holbrookplays a youngJohnny Cash, one of the most famous and iconoclastic American singer-songwriters. Despite hailing from wildly different backgrounds, Cash and Dylan found artistic solace in each other’s company and famously collaborated on the song “Girl from the North Country” in 1963. Of course,James Mangold directed the Johnny Cash biopic,Walk The Line,in 2005, for which Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar.
After making his screen debut in Milk in 2008, Holbrook has starred in such excellent projects asGone Girl, Behind the Candelabra, Narcos, Logan, The Predator, The Sandman, Justified: City Primeval, The Bikeriders, and more. With six upcoming projects, Holbrook will write, produce, and star in the sci-fi action thrillerThirst,and will appear in the new crime thriller TV seriesThe Executioner.
Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie
Underrated character actorScoot McNairyplaysWoody GuthrieinA Complete Unknown, a monumental figure in the 1960s folk music scene and the generations before and after it. One of the most accomplished songwriters in history, Guthrie’s social messaging and fight for equality substantially influenced the other artists in the film, including Dylan, Seeger, Baez, and countless others not featured in the story.
Approaching 100 credits since 2001, McNairy is a chameleonic performer who started gaining attention after his starring turn in the micro-budgeted Monsters in 2010. Since then, McNairy has continued to do great work inArgo, 12 Years a Slave, The Rover, Gone Girl, Lamb, Fargo, Halt and Catch Fire, Godless, True Detective, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, Speak No Evil,andNightbitch. McNairy will star in the upcoming TV remake ofMan on Fire.
Best James Mangold Movies, Ranked
With news that James Mangold will produce and direct a Buster Keaton biopic, here’s a look back at his best movies to date.
Other Supporting Cast Members
Apart from the main performers, several high and low-profile cast members round out the supporting roles.
