Timothee Chalamet-led Bob Dylan biopic, 'A Complete Unknown' begins filming in March

by Darian Scalamoni

    The feature biopic based on the iconic folk singer Bob Dylan titled A Complete Unknown has finally locked down a start of production after many delays due to strikes in Hollywood. World of Reel reports that filming for the movie will begin in late-March, taking place in Toronto and New York.

    Timothee Chalamet (Dune, Wonka) will lead the film as a 19-year-old Dylan in 1961, after shortly arriving in New York City seeking out his hero, an ailing Woody Guthrie. Many people within the folk music scene in the city embrace him, recognizing his remarkable singing and songwriting talent. The film then transitions into the rise of Dylan's artistry at Columbia Records as well as forming meaningful relationships across the music scene. 

    A Complete Unknown has an incredible ensemble with Chalamet leading the way amongst other talent such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Nick Offerman, Elle Fanning, Boyd Holbrook and Monica Barbaro. In terms of who all these talents will play: Cumberbatch will play Pete Seeger, Offerman will play Alan Lomax, Fanning will play Sylvie Russo, Holbrook will play Johnny Cash and Barbaro will play Joan Baez.

    James Mangold (Ford v. Ferrari, Logan), one of the busiest directors in the industry will direct the film. He recently directed the final installment within the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He also is set to join both the DCU and Star Wars franchises in the near future, helming films such as Swamp Thing and Dawn of the Jedi. Mangold had said previously on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast that Dylan approved of the script written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, even personally annotating it. 

    Chalamet dipped his toes into the musical waters for the first-time last year, starring in the musical re-imagining, Wonka, as the legendary chocolate maker. The movie was a massive success already earning over $510 million at the box-office (and still going). Chalamet's work in the film also earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He will next return to the Dune franchise in March with Dune: Part Two hitting theaters on March 1. 

    Chalamet is taking the role incredibly serious, having recorded 70% of the songs thus far doing his own singing. He even hired vocal coach Eric Vetro for the film, who previously helped train Austin Butler for the musical sequences in Elvis. Mangold is describing A Complete Unknown as an "Altman-esque ensemble piece" so fingers crossed this movie lives up to the hype!