The movie “A Complete Unknown” featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan has transformed various New Jersey locales into 1960s music scenes, including Jersey City and Hoboken.
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- “A Complete Unknown” has transformed various New Jersey locations, including Jersey City’s Miss America Diner and White Mana, to depict the 1960s era.
- Alongside Timothée Chalamet, the film features actors like Elle Fanning and Edward Norton.
- Filming stretches across several counties in New Jersey, including Hudson and Cape May, through June 2024.
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Filming Begins in New Jersey
One of this year’s most awaited films, starring Timothée Chalamet, has begun its New Jersey production leg.
TIMOTHÉE AS BOB DYLAN ERAAAA pic.twitter.com/CVXTXHZdMA
— T (@GuadagninoFilms) March 17, 2024
The movie, titled “A Complete Unknown,” will be shooting across various locations in Jersey City and Hoboken throughout the month.
Having completed earlier scenes in New York City, the biopic traces Bob Dylan’s storied rise during the 1960s.
James Mangold, acclaimed for his work on “Ford v Ferrari” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” writes and directs the project.
Classic NJ Spots Turned Retro for Chalamet’s Dylan Biopic
Last week, the production team visited the White Mana Diner in Jersey City and captured scenes along Tonnelle Avenue.
This diner has long been celebrated for its classic sliders and 60s-style design, which perfectly complement the film’s setting.
Further, the team filmed at the Miss America Diner and transformed Moran’s, a local Hoboken bar, into a replica of McAnn’s – a 1960s New York bar frequented by Dylan.
Vintage cars lined Hoboken’s 5th Street, showcasing the historical accuracy, and onlookers might have spotted Chalamet near Church Square Park.
Scenes were also filmed at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank and Bahrs Landing. The Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned that Cape May would replace the place where the 1965 Newport Folk Festival was held.
Dylan famously switched to playing an electric guitar at this festival, a key event in music history.
Stellar Cast and Creative Team Behind the Dylan Film
Directed by James Mangold, the film features an impressive cast, including Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Dylan’s 1960s love interest, and Edward Norton stepping into the role of folk singer Pete Seeger.
Other cast members include Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Nick Offerman as music historian Alan Lomax.
Dylan is intimately involved in the project, not just behind the camera, serving as an executive producer alongside his longtime manager, Jeff Rosen, who also secured the music rights for the film.
Filming Schedule and Production Details
Filming for “A Complete Unknown” began in early 2024 across various New York and New Jersey locations and is expected to continue through June.
The production faced delays previously due to industry-wide strikes but has since resumed with full vigor.
Local Economic Boost from Dylan Biopic
The film production has not only highlighted local landmarks but also boosted local businesses. Restaurants, diners, and streets used as film locations have seen increased foot traffic and business, capitalizing on the excitement generated by the movie.
Mario Costa, the local business owner of the White Mana, expressed excitement about the positive impact the filming has had on his diner, which served as one of the filming locations.
As filming continues, fans of Dylan and Chalamet are excitedly waiting for this movie to come out. They are looking forward to seeing a fascinating depiction of one of music’s biggest stars in a setting as lively and striking as the music and the man himself.
