Berlin got a little more poetic as Timothée Chalamet took center stage at the 75th Berlinale to discuss A Complete Unknown, the James Mangold-directed Bob Dylan biopic. The film dives deep into Dylan’s transformative early years, with Chalamet not just embodying the folk legend but also performing his music live. From gaining 20 pounds to learning guitar from scratch, the actor’s immersion into Dylan’s world spanned over five years.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Chalamet tackled everything from Dylan’s complicated relationship with activism to the weight of fame and why he’s wary of savior-like figures. He also opened up about his future as a producer, his evolving relationship with music, and whether success has "pulverized" him like it did Dylan. Spoiler: It hasn’t.
The Lowdown
Chalamet took five and a half years to prepare for the role, learning to play guitar and gaining 20 pounds to match Dylan’s early '60s physique.
He sees Dylan as an artist who rejected labels, including those of an activist, despite his politically charged music.
The actor emphasized his deep personal connection to the role, calling it a "lifetime’s work" and the "gift that keeps on giving."
When asked about the impact of fame, he brushed it off, saying he’s just focused on making great films.
He hinted at producing more projects in the future but only ones he’s truly passionate about.
The film aims to invite audiences in rather than alienate them with pretension.
"Bob Dylan Left Behind a Roadmap for Artists"
Dylan wasn’t just a musician—he was a thinker, a culture shifter, a rebel against expectations. That’s what pulled Chalamet into the role. Beyond the music, he saw Dylan as someone who carved his own path, rejecting labels, including that of a political activist.
"Once he had a band, once he could play rock & roll, it wasn’t about activism anymore—it was just more fun," Chalamet reflected. He sees Dylan’s political songwriting as a texture rather than a lifelong mission.
"Be wary of any savior-like figures. It doesn't matter who they are." — Timothée Chalamet
"I Just Ate a Lot" – On Gaining 20 Pounds for the Role
Transforming into young Dylan wasn’t just about getting the voice and mannerisms right—it was physical. Chalamet packed on weight to match Dylan’s stockier frame in the early ‘60s.
How’d he do it? Simple: "By eating a lot." But the change was necessary. "The Dylan of '65-'66 was thin, almost emaciated. The Dylan who arrived in New York in '61? He had more weight. That’s what we needed to get right."
"This Movie Was a Lifetime’s Work"
Five and a half years. That’s how long Chalamet lived in Dylan’s world, listening to his music "endlessly, day and night." He didn’t just learn guitar—he studied Dylan’s evolving playing style, modeling performances after specific live versions.
One scene he’s especially proud of? The recreation of A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, which he performed in the same aggressive, downstroke-heavy style Dylan used in the '60s.
"I wasn’t academic about it—I just absorbed everything. Dylan became a guiding light for me." — Timothée Chalamet
"Success Has Pulverized Me?" Nope.
A line from the film sees Dylan writing to Johnny Cash: "Success has pulverized me." Chalamet, however, doesn’t feel the same weight.
"I should give you a cryptic, pretentious answer, but no, I really don’t feel that way," he said. Instead, he’s focused on the big picture—keeping his head down and making films that matter.
"If I’m here today, it means things are working. That’s all that matters." — Timothée Chalamet
"I Love This Movie So Much, I’d Talk About It for a Year"
As the press tour winds down, Chalamet remains deeply attached to A Complete Unknown.
"This is probably the last time I’ll talk about it," he admitted. "But I love this man [Dylan] so much. I love this movie so much. I would do this for a year if I could."
Would he take on another role this demanding? Hard to say. "I don’t know if I got a lot more of these in me."
"This was a lifetime’s work. I had five and a half years to study one of the greatest artists ever. What a gift." — Timothée Chalamet
What’s Next?
Q: You mentioned wanting to produce more. Any updates?
A: "Yeah, but I don’t want to just slap my name on something. I’ve got some things in the works—projects that actually mean something to me."
Q: Did playing Dylan change how you listen to music?
A: "Nope. Same as always. But I keep discovering more of his music. It’s endless."
Q: Could you see A Complete Unknown as a Broadway musical?
A: "They already did one—Girl from the North Country. It’s great!"
Chalamet’s Dylan is more than an impersonation—it’s a full-bodied transformation, one that pays tribute to an artist who refused to be boxed in. Whether audiences are hardcore Dylan fans or just stepping into his world for the first time, A Complete Unknown promises to be a cinematic invitation rather than an exclusive club.
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