Timothée Chalamet has shared the immense dedication and focus he put into preparing for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in the upcoming biopic A Complete Unknown.
In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, the Dune star described how he approached the iconic musician’s character with complete selflessness, dedicating himself fully to embodying Dylan. “It was something I would go to sleep panicked about, losing a moment of discovery as the character—no matter how pretentious that sounds—because I was on my phone or because of any distraction,” Chalamet revealed.
Having spent five years preparing for the role, Chalamet spent an intense three months of his life immersed in the character, prioritizing it above everything else. “While I was in it, that was my eternal focus. He deserved that and then more,” the actor explained.
Chalamet stressed how vital it was for him to be fully immersed in the role, saying, “God forbid I missed a step because I was being Timmy. I could be Timmy for the rest of my life!” This commitment reflects the level of dedication Chalamet brought to portraying the legendary rockstar.
For inspiration in preparing for the role, Chalamet looked to acclaimed actors such as Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, whom he had worked with on Hostiles and Dune, respectively. He admired their ability to deeply guard their creative process and transform into their characters seamlessly. “The great actors I’ve worked with, Christian Bale on Hostiles or Oscar Isaac on Dune, were able to do that, and guard their process,” Chalamet shared.
Chalamet’s deep commitment to his craft and his willingness to completely immerse himself in the character of Bob Dylan promises a powerful and authentic performance in A Complete Unknown, showcasing his range and dedication as an actor.