According to Deadline, Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest to join the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” Cumberbatch will be playing legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, joining Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Monica Bárbaro as Joan Baez, and Elle Fanning as Dylan love interest Sylvie Russo. The film will be helmed by James Mangold, and is penned by Mangold and Jay Cocks.
This news comes as Mangold is “deep into preparation” for the Searchlight production. Currently, Mangold is at Cannes for the world premiere of “Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny.” Mangold confirmed Cumberbatch’s involvement in the film to Deadline’s Pete Hammond at the event. Besides playing Seeger, little else is known about Cumberbatch’s role in the story.
Casting announcements for the film have come fast and furious in recent weeks: Barbaro’s casting was announced at the end of April, then Fanning was confirmed to be joining the project just earlier this week, and now Cumberbatch! “A Complete Unknown” is shaping up to be a really stacked ensemble. Mangold’s last music biopic, “Walk the Line,” was a hit with audiences, critics, and the industry alike, winning an Oscar for Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash. With Mangold directing this cast, “A Complete Unknown” seems to be in really good hands.
Are you excited for “A Complete Unknown” Which casting update this week got you more excited, Elle Fanning or Benedict Cumberbatch? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our Twitter account.