Timothée Chalamet recently drew an insightful parallel between Bob Dylan’s lyrical activism and the themes of Dune during a press conference at the Berlin Film Festival. While discussing his role as Dylan in the upcoming James Mangold biopic A Complete Unknown, Chalamet highlighted the common thread between Dylan’s music and Frank Herbert’s Dune—both urge caution against blindly following charismatic or messianic leaders.
Chalamet explained that Dylan’s songs often carried political undertones, though not overtly activist, and Dune similarly warns of the dangers of cult-like figures. Reflecting on the message of both works, Chalamet emphasized the importance of questioning “savior-like figures” in society. Drawing a parallel to the era in which both Dylan and Herbert were creating, Chalamet noted that while Dylan was based on the East Coast and Herbert was on the West Coast—likely indulging in experimental activities at the time—their messaging aligned.
In a more personal note, Chalamet also shared his approach to choosing roles. Rather than overthinking or intellectualizing his choices, he explained that he focuses on collaborating with great directors, such as Greta Gerwig, Denis Villeneuve, and Luca Guadagnino, to ensure that his work remains fresh and creatively spontaneous.
A Complete Unknown, which is nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet, has already earned significant success at the box office, grossing over $100 million globally. The film explores Dylan’s rise from a Minnesota musician to a global radical legend, and Chalamet’s performance is receiving widespread acclaim.