A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown is an upcoming American biographical drama film 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.

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
 * Eriko Hatsune as Toshi Seeger
 * Charlie Tahan as Al Kooper
 * Ryan Harris Brown as Mark Spoelstra
 * 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
 * Alaina Surgener as Gena Russo

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, a character based on Suze Rotolo, 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. Production wrapped by early July 2024.