Watch Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan Harmonize With Edward Norton’s Pete Seeger in ‘A Complete Unknown’ Scene
The Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is two weeks away from release, and Billboard is sharing an exclusive clip from the project.
In the video, Timothée Chalamet portrays the icon alongside Edward Norton’s Pete Seeger. The duo sit down together at a gathering with their guitars to perform Dylan’s 1964 hit “When the Ship Comes In,” harmonizing at the chorus: “And the sea will split/ And the ships will hit/ And the sands on the shoreline will be shaking.”
Earlier this month, Dylan himself took to X (formerly Twitter) to give the film his stamp of approval. “There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!). Timothee Chalamet is starring in the lead role,” he wrote. “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me. The film’s taken from Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015. It’s a fantastic retelling of events from the early ‘60s that led up to the fiasco at Newport. After you’ve seen the movie read the book.”
“Floored,” Chalamet, who is doing his own singing for the film, tweeted in response. “I am so grateful. Thank you Bob.”
Also starring Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz and Scoot McNairy, the biographical drama was inspired by Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric. Director James Mangold revealed that the “Blowin’ in the Wind” artist personally gave feedback on the script.
Chalamet has said he’s been honing his portrayal of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer for years, working with a movement coach, taking a “spirit-gathering” road trip to the Minnesota native’s early stomping grounds, as well as working with a harmonica coach for five years to nail the singer’s signature style.
A Complete Unknown is out Christmas Day (Dec. 25). Watch the Billboard exclusive scene above.
Rania Aniftos
Billboard