Edward Norton Explains Why Timothée Chalamet Declined to Do a Video of His Bob Dylan Transformation (Exclusive)
The actors costar in the new film, 'A Complete Unknown', which chronicles four years of the legendary singer's life
The actors costar in the new film, 'A Complete Unknown', which chronicles four years of the legendary singer's life Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures Edward Norton and Timothee Chalamet in 'A Complete Unkown':max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/timothee-chalamet-a-complete-unknown-121724-3-bceb97e7e52c42ffa7ddb5fd8c87c7b2.jpg "Edward Norton and Timothee Chalamet in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN.")
Actor Timothée Chalamet spent five years mastering the guitar and harmonica — not to mention singing — to portray legendary singer Bob Dylan in the new film A Complete Unknown.
But when it came to his transformation, the actor, 28, opted to keep the details close to vest. "The whole thing was really just a sort of magical experience,” Chalamet tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. “I don’t want to ruin it with words because, really, it’s deeply personal to me. I can say just being in that time period was awesome, and living that.” Searchlight Pictures; Bettmann/Getty Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan in 'A Complete Unknown'. ; Bob Dylan.
For more of Chalamet's transformation into Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, pick up this week's Issue of PEOPLE.
Set in New York in the early 60s, the film spans four years of Dylan’s life, as the 19-year-old from Minnesota becomes one of the most iconic singer/songwriters in history. While Chalamet has admitted he knew very little about the musician before taking on the role, he threw himself into prep work, including mastering both the guitar and harmonica during five years of production delays because of COVID-19 and industry strikes.
The time also allowed him to work with a voice coach while studying Dylan’s performances and his interviews to nail his posture and how that affected his tone.
To capture Dylan’s unique appearance, the hair-and-makeup crew focused on three looks: the kid who moves to New York, young Bob once he got a recording deal and the more renowned musician with big hair and Ray-Bans. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Along with more than 60 wardrobe changes reflecting the times, Chalamet opted to wear a subtle nose prosthetic and various sideburn lengths to demonstrate the passage of time. Other small details included Dylan’s inconsistent shaving, dark shadows under his eyes and his longer and at times dirty fingernails.
Edward Norton, who portrays folk legend Pete Seeger in the film, was impressed with Chalamet’s dedication. “From day one, Timothée was so switched on,” he says. “I was completely knocked out by the depth of his seriousness and absorption into this.”
The actor also supported Chalamet’s hesitancy to disclose details about the transformation. “People came at him and said, ‘Oh, let’s shoot a timelapse of you transforming into Bob Dylan for social. They want to see behind the scenes.’ And he said, ‘Absolutely not.’ ” Norton says. “He was so mature and so disciplined about keeping the bubble around the entirety of that magic trick.”
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As for Dylan, 83, he posted support for the film Dec. 4 on X, calling Chalamet “a brilliant actor” and adding, “I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.” While Chalamet says he hasn’t had direct contact with the musician, he calls Dylan’s words “beyond my wildest dreams. And it was more than enough. I’m very grateful for that.”
A Complete Unknown hits theaters Christmas day.
