On 08.16.24, I reported on the mediocre reactions that greeted James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown” at a recent private screening. The cut shown was described as a “work in progress,” and one that focused too heavily on Bob Dylan’s relationship with Sylvie (Elle Fanning).
Now it appears that reshoots have been called on the film and they will probably last for a few weeks. Timothee Chalamet and a “good chunk” of the cast are said to be back on the set in New Jersey for these reshoots.
The biopic was described, by a few people, as “overlong”— it clocked in at around 2 and a half hours. I recently pointed out how, purely based on the divisive reactions the “work in progress” received. it wouldn’t be so surprising to have reshoots conducted on the film.
There is obviously lots of time for Mangold to shape his film, and it will no doubt be shortened in the coming months leading to its late year release. “ A Complete Unknown” started production in March and wrapped up its shoot in May. A very quick turnaround, and it’s now being rushed for Christmas Day release.
The biopic taps into the folk scene of the early 60s and Dylan’s rising stardom. A trailer was released last month for the film. The cast is starry: Chalamet playing Dylan, Edward Norton (Pete Seeger), Elle Fanning (Suze Rotolo), Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez) and Nick Offerman (Alan Lomax) and Boyd Holbrook (Johnny Cash).
Mangold (“Ford V Ferrari,” “Logan”) has described “A Complete Unknown” as “Altman-esque, an ensemble piece” that will involve a mosaic of artists such as Guthrie, Baez, Cash and Seeger. Former film critic Jay Cocks wrote the script. He’s only written five films in 30 years, including “The Age of Innocence,” “Silence,” “Gangs of New York,” and “Strange Days.”
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.