logo
The true story behind A Complete Unknown, as Bob Dylan biopic lands on Disney+

The true story behind A Complete Unknown, as Bob Dylan biopic lands on Disney+

Yahoo29-04-2025

Timothée Chalamet swaps his Willy Wonka top hat for Bob Dylan's harmonica in A Complete Unknown, the latest movie to tackle the life and times of a music icon. Telling a key moment in the life of a musical legend, the film is coming to Disney+ this week following its big-screen release earlier this year.
The musical biopic earned eight Oscar nominations, including nods for Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet. It was directed by Walk the Line filmmaker James Mangold, fresh from his time unearthing a cinematic heavy-hitter in 2023 sequel Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Ahead of its streaming release, here's your guide to the true story behind A Complete Unknown.
A Complete Unknown will be available to stream on Disney+ from from Wednesday, 30 April, following its cinema release in January. It follows the success of other movies that showcased the lives of stage stars like Queen's 2018 feature Bohemian Rhapsody and 2019's Elton John film Rocketman.
The trailer for A Complete Unknown provides glimpses at Dylan in his early career — from a scruffy troubadour arriving in a windswept Greenwich Village to a shades-wearing folk star whose music was soundtracking an America in flux. Watch it by hitting play on the video below.
Dune star Chalamet takes the leading role in Mangold's movie, which focuses on one key moment in a career littered with important turning points that changed the direction of pop culture.
The film finds the Duluth-born songwriter in the 1960s as he's about to shake up his musical style by ditching the folk hero aesthetic that fans love and going electric.
In real life, this was a moment that occurred at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. While it was initially met with anger and confusion from Dylan fans who adored their acoustic guitar-wielding, Woody Guthrie-esque folk hero, it later emerged as a cultural shift that not only paved the way for him to write new hit songs but also gave birth to a brand new chapter of popular culture.
However, this transition didn't come without plenty of growing pains. One such issue was infamously captured during Dylan's performance at Manchester's Free Trade Hall in 1966 where a disgruntled fan loudly labelled him 'Judas!'.
The film takes artistic licence with this moment, as Mangold portrays it as happening at during Dylan's set at 1965 Newport Folk Festival. The director told Entertainment Weekly: 'That came from a concert in Manchester, England. But it happened. It was just a concert a little while later.
'But if you see the documentary interviews from the Manchester concerts where he also went electric, you can feel the hot rage from these Dylan fans who feel utterly betrayed that he has moved in this new direction.'
To prepare for playing such an influential musician, the Wonka star practised his guitar playing and singing. He performs his own vocals on the Dylan tracks used in the movie, which include hits Like a Rolling Stone, Blowin' in the Wind and The Times They Are A-Changin'.
A Complete Unknown also chronicles Dylan's relationship with university student and artist Suze Rotolo — with Elle Fanning playing a fictionalised version of her, renamed Sylvie Russo.
Rotolo dated Dylan between 1961 to 1964, and appeared alongside on the cover of 1963 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. She later recounted their relationship in her memoir, A Freewheelin' Time, and died from cancer in 2011, aged 67.
Dylan requested that Rotolo's name was changed for the film, as their relationship was 'sacred' to him. Mangold explained that Dylan had 'given me permission to make so much of the movie that he had this one personal request about someone who'd already passed on.'
The movie features appearances from other musicians that were circulating the New York scene throughout the 1960s. Fubar star Monica Barbaro plays singer-songwriter Joan Baez, whose output and collaborations were integral in forming Dylan as an early artist.
Fight Club's Edward Norton portrays fellow musician Pete Seeger, with Boyd Holbrook stepping into the shoes of country legend Johnny Cash. Speak No Evil actor Scoot McNairy rounds out the cast as one of Dylan's biggest creative muses, Woody Guthrie.
A Complete Unknown will be streaming on Disney+ from 30 April

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

29 Whimsical Gifts For Your Inner Child
29 Whimsical Gifts For Your Inner Child

Buzz Feed

time35 minutes ago

  • Buzz Feed

29 Whimsical Gifts For Your Inner Child

A pack of spring-forward socks because HELLO it's time to go back outside. Add some color to your outfit. Add some florals. ADD BUNNIES! A fruit-shaped throw pillow adding some tropical vibes to your home, because square-pillows are just Close the blinds and cuddle up with your papaya. Moodmatcher's color-changing lipstick that starts Elphaba green and then reacts to the pH of your skin to create a Glinda-approved pink. The truly magical formula defies grav— I mean, time by staying on all day, even after eating and drinking. And an Ulta Beauty Magic Marker lip stain to make your makeup routine feel a little more like arts and crafts. Reviewers say this is more than a novelty product: It offers bold, nonsticky color that lasts all day. A beautiful stained glass butterfly stake so your plant can have a permanent guest. It hooks onto the side of a planter to create the illusion of a monarch just dropping by for a quick rest. A set of adhesive stair decals that'll make your home feel like Rainbow Road, just with way less falling off the side into the abyss (hopefully?). When you get sick of them, just peel 'em off! A rose-shaped straw cover compatible with 6-10 millimeter straws to avoid any gross situations. The soft silicone stem loops around your straw, and the rose fits right on top. VERY Disney princess if you ask me. A NeeDoh Gummy Bear offering the perfect amount of squish and stretch for restless hands. The jelly-like filling is encased in a thick, nonsticky plastic so it has just the right amount of give. A sensory heaven! Or a blind box with five whole surprise cube cats inside. Will you score the transparent Melon color or the elusive Fortune Cat? Only one way to find out... A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel to display your tiny masterpieces. It's perfect for adults and teens looking for a quick project and kids working on their fine motor skills. A Britannia metal hairclip offering some Western charm to any outfit. The creators of this barrette were not horsing around: Reviewers say the craftsmanship is top-tier. Soot sprite dryer balls that'll look sooo cute bouncing around in your dryer. Besides being adorable, they reduce drying time, prevent wrinkles, and soften clothes, all without coating your stuff in a waxy residue like dryer sheets do. A wind-up toy shaped like a cat riding a robot vacuum. We've all seen the videos — it's time to recreate it at home. A tiny violin keychain you can ironically play the next time someone vents a little too long. Press the button on the back to unleash "a symphony of sarcasm" — hopefully the melodramatic music will lighten the mood. Or a fidget toy keychain featuring a little critter having the time of their life in an inner tube. Press the button to de-stress and make their water park dreams come true. A sad duck night-light ready to cheer you up — because at least you've never felt so down you've melted into the table. A plush fruit slice probably more comfortable and DEFINITELY cuter than the normal cone of shame your cat has to wear. The adjustable collar gives your cat a nice cushion to rest with while they recover from surgery. A giant bread pillow you can cuddle up with and get nice and toasty. You may want to also get a real baguette because this thing is making me hungry! A "Gracula" garlic crusher that ironically helps you with one of the most tedious chores in the kitchen. Just throw in the peeled cloves, twist, and feel grateful you Let the Right One your kitchen. A long-lasting temporary tattoo kit for when you're bored of your current ink situation and wanna mix it up — for a little bit, at least. A fashionable lil' capybara who comes with a variety of sweaters and accessories so they can make outfit swaps throughout the day. If you miss the soaring joy of dressing up a Build-A-Bear, this might do the trick. A Godzilla microwave cleaner that shoots out cleansing steam instead of lasers. Not as cool, but definitely more helpful. Just fill the silicone tool up with water and vinegar, microwave it, and then marvel at how you found a cleaning supply that's actually fun. A giant pack of sprout hair clips featuring springy mushrooms, clovers, and flowers. Tell me a flowy dress, and a couple of these wouldn't go hard at brunch. A pack of plastic balls to make all your nostalgic ball pit dreams come true. This pack comes with enough for a pet or small child to have fun could also buy adults could an idea... A sticker book filled with grouchy-looking cats. I would ask why they're so upset, but we all know cats never need a reason. You can have fun placing these directly in the sightline of anyone bugging you that day. >:( A paw-shaped chair cushion, because who doesn't want to be lovingly cradled in a kitten's paw? A plug-in mushroom light that offers a warm, color-changing glow so your home feels like a magical forest. Time to invite over the nice badger couple next door and drink dandelion tea! A shark onesie for anyone who wishes every week was shark week. The wide fin sleeves and toothy hood make this the ultimate cozy hang 'fit. Mr. Bubble Magic Bath Crackles that are arguably a lot more fun than regular bath salts or bombs. They work like Pop Rocks and start crackling as soon as they hit the water. Kids love them for bathtime experiments, but adults might get a kick out of the tingling sensation.

Shocked parent discovers how Disney World subtly checks kids for lice: ‘That's a creative way to disguise it'
Shocked parent discovers how Disney World subtly checks kids for lice: ‘That's a creative way to disguise it'

New York Post

time3 hours ago

  • New York Post

Shocked parent discovers how Disney World subtly checks kids for lice: ‘That's a creative way to disguise it'

One of parents' worst nightmares is their kid getting lice — but you suspect it in your little ones' head and don't want to do the checking yourself, head over to Disney World where the staff will do the work for you. One Disney parent posted in a now-viral TikTok how those who are staffed by the land of Mickey and Minnie Mouse cleverly go about checking kids' heads for the tiny, wingless insects. Advertisement The mom captioned her video, 'I didn't even realize what they were doing until I rewatched the video. Literally making every moment magical even while checking for lice at bippity boppity boutique.' In the video, the staffer dressed in character as a fairy Godmother kneels behind an adorable little girl and begins parting her hair to check for any signs of the nasty insects. 'I didn't even realize what they were doing until I rewatched the video. Literally making every moment magical even while checking for lice at bippity boppity boutique,' the mom wrote as the caption of her video. Advertisement While doing so, the employee is chatting with the toddler, who is oblivious that her head is being inspected, about Rapunzel's hair. Something that Disney is known for offering to young guests is the ability to get a princess — or knight —makeover, which includes getting hair and makeup done at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom The parent who posted the video isn't the only one pleasantly surprised by this service. Advertisement 'You know what, I'd rather them check for lice than a surprise after vacation!' one commenter wrote. 'Hopefully no parent takes offense to this because it's not only protecting other children, it's protecting your child from getting it, too,' pointed out someone else. 'That's a sweet and creative way to disguise it,' another person agreed. 'It's not just checking for lice — it's also checking for any rashes, skin issues, cuts/broken skin. Anything that could react to whatever they're putting on ur head. It's for their safety and yours!' a commenter explained. Advertisement Although Disney didn't confirm the lice checking to be true, one could assume that staff at the amusement park use this opportunity to make sure little guests' heads are clean before transforming them into a Disney princess or knight. Go on vacation, get a free lice check. Which doesn't sound like a bad idea, considering an estimated 6 to 12 million US kids between the ages of 3 and 11 years old get lice every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention And if your kid becomes a statistic, olive oil can actually help smother, kill and remove lice eggs from a child's head, according to Northwell Health pediatrician Dr. Lauren Adler Keep in mind that the CDC states that it 'does not have clear scientific evidence' — but if the food product does the trick, more power to it.

Disney+ launches new £1.99 deal, but it won't be around forever
Disney+ launches new £1.99 deal, but it won't be around forever

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Disney+ launches new £1.99 deal, but it won't be around forever

Sign up to Disney+ For a limited time Disney+ is offering subscribers the chance to sign up to the streaming platform for just £1.99 per month. The deal will give users access to some of the biggest shows of the moment, and the deal is being launched just in time for the releases of The Bear, Alien: Earth, and the streaming debut of Snow White. And that doesn't even take into consideration the huge back catalogue of the company which boasts recent hits like Andor, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Good American Family. Here is everything you need to know to nab yourself the limited time deal. Disney+'s new deal is valid from 11 June until 30 June, and the good news is that both new and returning customers are eligible for this lower-priced subscription. The deal is only for Disney+ Standard with Ads and it will cost £1.99 per month for four months before auto-renewing to the then-current monthly price until the subscription is cancelled. This deal will save users £12 compared to Disney+'s regular monthly price for those four months. At the moment the subscription deal costs £4.99 per month. So what does the Disney+ Standard with Ads give you? Well it of course includes Ad-supported streaming with adverts catered to the platform's audience. Users on this tier will also be able to enjoy ip to 1080p Full HD video quality as well as 5.1 audio, and they will be able to stream on two devices at any time. One of the things that subscribers on the Disney+ Standard with Ads tier won't get is the ability to download shows and movies to watch on the go. But, if you're not too bothered by that, then the tier might be just right for you. Unlike the other subscription tiers on Disney+ there is no yearly plan for Disney+ Standard with Ads, so users will have to pay monthly to access the streamer. There are currently two other subscription tiers: Disney+ Standard and Disney+ Premium, while those wishing to give access to a person outside their household can also choose to sign up for the Extra Member subscription at an extra £3.99 (for Standard with Ads) or £4.99 (for Standard and Premium). What's to come on Disney+ from 11 June then? Quite a lot actually, as mentioned the next big releases on the platform include series 4 of the critically-acclaimed drama The Bear from 26 June, while Marvel fans can dive into the newest series, Ironheart, from 25 June. The limited time deal comes just in time for the streaming debut of Snow White on 11 June, while the hotly-anticipated FX series Alien: Earth lands on the platform on 13 August. As well as new shows and movies Disney+ is also home to award-winning films from Searchlight Pictures like A Real Pain and Poor Things, as well as fascinating documentaries through National Geographic. The Marvel and Star Wars franchises are also available to stream in full on the platform, as well as FX and Hulu series through the platform's Star Originals category. So there really is plenty to enjoy on Disney+.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store