Who Plays Who In Bob Dylan Biopic?

A Complete Unknown—the story of Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet that chronicles the iconic singer, songwriter and musician’s rise in the music business—highlights a number of legendary musicians.

Directed by James Mangold from a screenplay by Mangold and Jay Cocks, A Complete Unknown is based on Elijah Wald’s book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties. The film opens in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.

The official summary for the film reads, “New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music.

“He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide.”

While Dylan is the principal figure in A Complete Unknown, a variety of fellow luminaries in the musician’s life also populate the landscape of the film.

Here’s a look at the major characters in A Complete Unknown and who plays them.

Timothée Chalamet (Bob Dylan)

Timothée Chalamet said it took five years of singing and guitar lessons for his transformation into Bob Dylan for A Complete Unknown.

Chalamet’s credits include Dune and Dune: Part Two, Wonka, Lady Bird and Beautiful Boy, as well as a Best Actor Oscar-nominated turn in Call Me By Your Name.

Edward Norton (Pete Seeger)

Edward Norton plays folk music icon Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown.

Norton’s credits included Best Actor Oscar-nominated turns in American History X and Primal Fear, and Best Supporting Actor nomination for his work in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).

Norton’s other credits include Fight Club, The Incredible Hulk, Red Dragon, Moonrise Kingdom and Asteroid City.

Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez)

Monica Barbaro stars as legendary singer, songwriter and musician Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown.

Barbaro’s credits include the film Top Gun: Maverick as well as hit streaming series FUBAR, UnREEAand The Good Cop.

Boyd Holbrook (Johnny Cash)

Boyd Holbrook plays country music legend Johnny Cash in A Complete Unknown.

Holbrook’s credits include the TV series Narcos and Hatfields & McCoys, and the films The Bikeriders, The Skeleton Twins and The Predator.

Holbrook has previously worked with A Complete Unknown director James Mangold on Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo)

Elle Fanning plays Bob Dylan’s girlfriend Suze Rotolo—who is renamed Sylvie Russo—in A Complete Unknown.

Fanning’s film credits include Super 8, Maleficent and The Neon Demon, and her television credits include the series The Great and miniseries The Girl from Plainville.

Rated R, the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown opens in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.