Timothée Chalamet Gets ‘Wicked’ Vocal Coaching to Channel Bob Dylan
In a prelude to his role as the iconic musician Bob Dylan in the film *A Complete Unknown*, Timothée Chalamet has taken a quintessentially theatrical approach to prep. Spoiler alert: it involves a dash of Broadway flair courtesy of Eric Vetro, the vocal coach famous for transforming Ariana Grande’s pop vocals into something fit for the Great White Way. Seriously, who knew channeling a folk legend could be so glam?
In an exclusive sneak peek from Entertainment Weekly, Chalamet dives into his multi-faceted training, which included not just Vetro’s vocal expertise, but also a dialect coach, a movement coach—as if channeling Dylan’s freewheeling spirit required a bit of swagger, which it totally does. In his own words, Chalamet declares, “My way in was with the music,” reinforcing the idea that a character like Dylan isn’t just acted; he needs to be sung into existence.
Director James Mangold emphasized this musical foundation, pushing Chalamet to immerse himself in Dylan’s world. “How can you possibly make a movie about someone who just sings kind of naked alone with a guitar?” Mangold questioned. Apparently, getting the music right was non-negotiable for capturing the essence of Dylan, who, let’s face it, is basically a national treasure in the music world.
Vetro’s influence is particularly critical; he helped Chalamet not just mimic Dylan but develop a unique sound rooted in that rich history. According to Vetro, it was essential to dissect the various influences on Dylan, which allowed Chalamet to recreate the legendary artist’s distinctive tone. And it’s not just talk—Chalamet’s hands-on approach amazed co-stars and crew alike, with producer Alex Heineman expressing astonishment at Chalamet’s skill set.
Even Chalamet’s guitar coach, Larry Saltzman, was blown away, noting how quickly Chalamet grasps difficult songs—even those that would usually take months for other players to master. What’s next? A one-man show?
*A Complete Unknown* is set to hit digital platforms on February 25, and if this behind-the-scenes glimpse is any indication, it promises to be an intriguing mesh of raw musical talent and Hollywood glam.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Rolling Stone
