Timothee Chalamet reveals he had 'five years of singing practice' to play Bob Dylan in upcoming...

Timothée Chalamet shared that he spent five years honing his singing skills to prepare for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in the forthcoming biopic, A Complete Unknown.

The 28-year-old actor, who portrays the 83-year-old creator of the song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," performs the music both vocally and instrumentally in the upcoming film, scheduled to be released in January.

During his appearance on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, he confessed that he didn't know much about Bob previously. However, he has since developed a strong enthusiasm for the influence Bob has had on culture.

The film centers on Dylan's initial career stages, highlighting his shift from folk music to rock and his appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Timothée has received acclaim for his performance in the role.

Timothée mentioned, "I had plenty of time to train since we were supposed to shoot the film five and a half years ago. However, due to Covid and the actors' strike, I ended up having years to get ready."

I felt sure about my singing abilities, and by the time we were ready to shoot the film, I was eager to perform the songs live.

Timothée Chalamet has shared that he spent 'five years honing his singing skills' in preparation for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in the forthcoming biopic, A Complete Unknown.

The 28-year-old actor, who portrays the 83-year-old creator of the classic song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," performs both the singing and playing of the music in the upcoming drama. The film is set to premiere in January, featuring Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo alongside Timothée Chalamet.

He mentioned, "I didn't know a lot about Dylan before, but after spending so much time on this project, I have come to truly admire him."

I have a strong admiration for this man and what he does. My friends are getting fed up with me constantly bringing him up.

"This individual has made a significant mark on culture, and this film along with this character is what I take the most pride in."

The Oscar-nominated actor, who hadn’t met the music star before taking on the role, has received acclaim from critics for his ability to elevate the film, despite its shortcomings.

Timothée went on to say, "Bob is a puzzling and enigmatic person who doesn't say much, so I never had the opportunity to meet him."

"I wish I could, but I truly understand that, given his personality, I probably won't have the chance to meet him."

Elle Fanning is set to play the role of Sylvie Russo, a new interpretation of Bob's girlfriend, while Monica Barbaro will take on the character of Joan Baez.

The film focuses on the singer-songwriter's contentious decision to move to electric instruments during the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

During his appearance on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, he confessed that he wasn't very familiar with Bob prior to this, but now feels 'intensely enthusiastic' about the influence he has had on culture.

The film highlights Dylan's formative years in music, showcasing his shift from folk to rock. It also captures his memorable performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Timothée has received acclaim for his portrayal of Bob (who is seen here in a photo from 2023).

Timothée expressed, "I felt assured about singing, and when it came time to work on the film, I was eager to perform the songs live." (He was seen at the London premiere last week.)

Timothée, alongside Edward Norton and Boyd Holbrook, has been confirmed to perform his own songs in the film. This follows his vocal performance in the 2023 musical, Wonka.

Director James Mangold has stated that he has been collaborating with Bob on the project, and that the singer of "Hurricane" contributed some personal insights to the script.

While speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the director shared, "I’ve had the pleasure of spending several delightful days with him, enjoying one-on-one conversations."

I own a script that he personally marked up, and I hold it dear. He has a passion for films. When I first met Bob, one of the first things he mentioned was, "I really enjoy Cop Land."

Although the film will explore his childhood, the director stressed that A Complete Unknown is not solely a biographical movie about the artist.

He clarified, "Just so you know, it's not exactly a biographical film about Bob Dylan."

He explained, "Bob has been incredibly supportive of our project because, in my opinion, the best true stories told in film focus on a specific moment rather than the entire life story."

"It may remind you of Altman’s work, but it really serves as a collective narrative set in the early '60s in New York. The story follows a 17-year-old boy who, with just $16 to his name, hits the road to New York to visit Woody Guthrie, who is in the hospital facing a terminal nerve disease," he concluded.

Elle Fanning will take on the role of Sylvie Russo, a reimagined character based on Bob's girlfriend, while Monica Barbaro (shown on the left) will portray Joan Baez.

In late August, shortly after the release of the film's first trailer, Timothée shared a sneak peek of the much-anticipated movie's poster on Instagram. This offered fans a glimpse of the New York native in action.

He has often been spotted embodying the singer while working on set.

A source familiar with the actor revealed that he has a lot on the line: "There's immense pressure to do well. Bob Dylan fans are extremely passionate and won't hold back if Timothée messes up."

The title, "A Complete Unknown," is familiar from Bob Dylan's iconic rock anthem, "Like a Rolling Stone," which transformed his career.

Catch The Graham Norton Show on BBC One this Friday, December 20th, at 10:40 PM. You can also watch it on BBC iPlayer.