The Cast of ‘A Complete Unknown’ Compared to the Real People they Play

As I delve into the captivating world of A Complete Unknown, I find myself utterly enamored by the remarkable assembly of talent gracing our screens come December 25, 2024. The film’s stellar cast, each with their own rich tapestry of experiences and accolades, promises a cinematic journey that will resonate profoundly with audiences.

As a passionate film aficionado, I’m thrilled to share that the biopic about one of humanity’s most extraordinary songwriting treasures, Bob Dylan, titled “A Complete Unknown“, will be gracing our cinemas on Christmas Day. This critically acclaimed production boasts Timothée Chalamet in the role of Dylan, a prodigiously talented folk singer/songwriter who made his mark on the music world in New York City in 1961. Known to many as the greatest songwriter ever, “A Complete Unknown” promises a star-studded cast with more than one familiar face.

Apart from Timothée Chalamet changing his appearance and body language for the main character, the other actors too went through significant makeup and wardrobe changes to portray their real-life musician counterparts accurately. It’s fascinating to notice how convincingly the casting and makeup team managed to make their characters look like the actual individuals they represented.

Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan

Timothée Chalamet portrays the renowned folk musician Bob Dylan in the film “A Complete Unknown,” a focused biopic helmed by James Mangold. Unlike a comprehensive life story, this movie zeroes in on a pivotal four-year span from 1961 to 1965, during which Dylan achieved fame through his performances at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. With an air of mystery surrounding him, Dylan’s profound impact on American music is immeasurable.

Timothée Chalamet is one of the most promising young actors currently active, having recently taken on the lead role in Denis Villeneuve’s two-part Dune saga. He received an Academy Award nomination for his breakout performance in “Call Me By Your Name,” and his other notable works include “Interstellar,” “Lady Bird,” “Beautiful Boy,” “Bones and All,” “Wonka,” “Little Women,” “Don’t Look Up,” and “The French Dispatch.” Following his role in “A Complete Unknown,” Chalamet will star in director Josh Safdie’s upcoming film titled “Marty Supreme.

Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo

In the film “A Complete Unknown”, Elle Fanning plays the character Sylvie Russo, who is modeled after Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s real-life girlfriend. Dylan, having left his small hometown in Minnesota for the bustling city of New York, relies on Sylvie to guide him through his new life, riches, and stardom. As a skilled songwriter, Dylan acknowledges Sylvie as a crucial source of inspiration.

Starting her acting journey as a child star in the movie “I Am Sam”, Fanning has since accumulated around 70 roles to her credit, demonstrating her exceptional and versatile talent. Notable among these are “Super 8”, “Somewhere”, “Maleficent”, “The Neon Demon”, “The Beguiled”, “Mary Shelley”, “Teen Spirit”, “The Great”, “20th Century Women” and others. Fanning has previously collaborated with Chalamet in the film “A Rainy Day in New York”. Besides this, Fanning is set to appear in six more projects, one of which is “Predator: Badlands”.

Edward Norton as Pete Seeger

Edward Norton portrays Pete Seeger, a significant figure in the world of folk music during the 1960s, who was not only a skilled singer, songwriter, and guitarist but also penned chart-topping tunes as a member of the band The Weavers. However, due to their perceived communist leanings during the McCarthy era, the group was blacklisted. Post this period, Seeger resumed his music career, using it as a platform for political activism and becoming friends with Dylan, Sylvie, and other emerging folk musicians of that time. Interestingly, Norton performed live on set, playing the guitar and singing, capturing Seeger’s spirit authentically on camera.

A highly versatile actor with few flaws, Norton is an Academy Award nominee who starred in some of the best movies ever. Following his staggering debut in Primal Fear, Norton has given electric performances in everything from American History X and Fight Club to Rounders and Birdman. Less-known outstanding works include Leaves 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 Barbaro portrays the renowned folk artist Joan Baez, whose voice and poetry were instrumental in the 1960s New York folk music movement. A cultural icon recognized for her advocacy of social justice and political protest tunes, Baez left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of that era. In addition to her own compositions, she was one of the earliest performers to record and popularize Bob Dylan’s songs.

Since 2012, Barbaro has accumulated 35 acting credits across various films and television shows. Familiar to many as Anna Valdez in “Chicago Justice” and “Chicago P.D.”, she also graced the screens in productions like “FUBAR”, “At Midnight”, “Top Gun: Maverick”, “Splitting Up Together”, “UnReal”, “Stumptown”, and others. Next up, Barbaro is set to appear as Meagan in Zack Snyder’s upcoming TV series, “Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas”.

Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash

Actor Boyd Holbrook portrays the young version of the renowned and rebellious American musician Johnny Cash, who is known as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in history. Despite having distinctively different upbringings, Cash and Dylan developed a strong artistic bond and collaborated on the 1963 song “Girl from the North Country.” Notably, James Mangold directed the Johnny Cash biopic titled “Walk The Line” in 2005, which earned Reese Witherspoon an Academy Award.

Following his first appearance on the big screen in Milk back in 2008, Holbrook has since shone in a variety of outstanding productions including Gone Girl, Behind the Candelabra, Narcos, Logan, The Predator, The Sandman, Justified: City Primeval, and many others. With six forthcoming projects on the horizon, Holbrook will not only act but also write and produce the science fiction action-thriller Thirst, as well as feature in the upcoming crime thriller TV series The Executioner.

Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie

Character actor Scoot McNairy portrays the underestimated Woody Guthrie in “A Complete Unknown.” Known for his significant impact on the 1960s folk music movement and generations preceding and following it, Guthrie was one of history’s greatest songwriters. His social messages and advocacy for equality left a lasting impression on various artists depicted in the film, including Dylan, Seeger, Baez, and many more who are not part of the narrative but were also influenced by him.

With over 100 acting credits since 2001, McNairy has proven to be a versatile actor who first garnered recognition following his leading role in Monsters (2010). Since then, he has delivered outstanding performances in Argo, 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, Nightbitch, and more. McNairy is set to appear in the upcoming television adaptation of Man on Fire.

Other Supporting Cast Members

Besides the lead actors, a mix of well-known and lesser-known artists fill out the various supporting parts.

Joe Tippett (The Morning Show, Monarch: Legacy of Monarch) plays Dave Van Ronk, a talented folk singer/songwriter on the brink of fame who never reached his full potential.
Dan Fogler (Fanboys) plays Albert Grossman, one of the most successful American music managers who contributed to Bob Dylan’s popularity, among many others.
Norbert Leo Butz (The Exorcist: Believer) plays American music historian and recording artist Alan Lomax, who helped the careers of several musicians seen in the film.
Will Harrison (Madam Secretary) plays Neuwirth, an American folk singer/songwriter, producer, and visual performer. Neuwirth rose to fame as Bob Dylan’s road manager during his popular ’60s career.
Eriko Hatsune (Emperor) plays Toshi Seeger, Pete Seeger’s wife who became a prominent documentary filmmaker, environmental activist, and movie producer.

A Complete Unknown opens in theaters on December 25, 2024.

2024-12-25 07:01