The Bob Dylan-Biopic Like a Complete Unknown is not only a film about the exceptional artist, but also a piece of contemporary history that, along with Dylan, numerous more Well -known musicians: inside the New York folk scene of the early 1960s presented. Via Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, numerous real people appear in James Mangold’s film, who are embodied in addition to Timothée Chalamet by greats such as Edward Norton or Monica Barbaro.
Compare the real role models of the music film with their actors: inside. All pictures of the real people were taken from the Bob Dylan documentary Bob Dylan – No Direction Home from Martin Scorsese.
Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger: This is how the characters made of Like a Complete Unknown really looked like
Timothée Chalamet (Call me by your name) slips into the role of music legend in Like a Complete Unknown Bob Dylan. The dune star was suitable for Dylans for over five years and learned to play guitar and harmonica for the role of the role, and to sing. Every song that chalamet performs as a dylan in the film was sung live by the actor on the set. For his performance, Chalamet was nominated for numerous prizes as the best main actor. He was able to win the Sag-Award at the end of February 2025.
Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) slips into the role of folk musician in Like a Complete Unknown Joan Baezwith which Dylan stood together on stage several times and also received a romantic relationship. Barbaro also lent Baez in the biopic her own voice and learned to play extra guitar. The actress was nominated for the role of numerous prizes, including the best supporting actress at the Oscars 2025.
Edward Norton (Fight Club) slips into the role of musicians in Like a Complete Unknown Pete Seegerwho brought Bob Dylan into the New York folk scene and at times acted as one of his mentors. Norton can also be heard as a Seeger in the Biopic himself. Norton was nominated for his performance as the best supporting actor at the Oscars 2025.
Sylvie Russo, Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash: This is how the characters from Like a Complete Unknown really looked like
Elle Fanning (Maleficent) slips into the role of Sylvie Russo. Russo is based on the real artist Suzie Rotolo, who received a long -term relationship with Bob Dylan in the early 1960s. Rotolo is the only person whose name has been changed for the film. Director James Mangold told the Rolling Stone:
It was the figure I felt – and I think Bob agreed to me when we spoke before – that she was not a celebrity and not an icon that had a public person. It was put on everyone else and they have known the game for a long time. Suze was just a real person …
Scoot McNairy (12 years a slave) slips into the role of Woody Guthriewhich Bob Dylan visited in the hospital after his arrival in New York. Guthries influence was decisive for Dylan’s success and his connection to the folk scene in New York. Shortly before Guthrie and Dylan met, the singer was diagnosed with the Huntington disease. At the age of 55, he finally succumbed to his illness.
Boyd Holbrook (Narcos) slips into the role of Johnny Cash. Cash was already a successful musician when his paths crossed Bob Dylan for the first time. The film should not originally include cash, since the book template Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald the connection between Dylan and Cash did not research.
Mangold, however, came across a number of letters between the two during the time during the research with Bob Dylan, which is why the Walk the line director Cash included in the biopic, as he revealed to Entertainment Weekly:
It is a wonderful series of letters. Johnny started writing to Bob after his Freewheelin ‘album.
Other performers: Inside in Like a Complete Unknown, Dan Fogler (fantastic animal system and where they can be found) as Albert Grossman, PJ Byrne (Babylon) as Harold Leventhal, Harrison (Daisy Jones and the Six) as Bobby Neuwirth and Norbert Leo Butz (Bloodline) as Alan Lomax.
Like a Complete Unknown has been running in German cinemas since February 27, 2025.