Walking the same path as former University of Minnesota student Bob Dylan, actor Timothée Chalamet visited sites in Dinkytown and around the campus Thursday ahead of the premiere of his Dylan biographical film, “A Complete Unknown.”

At the local theater, the Main Cinema, the film, “A Complete Unknown” premiered to a crowd of students, fans and media with Chalamet who held a Q&A session after the film. Directed by James Mangold, the film follows the early life of 19-year-old Dylan at the beginning of his musical career in the 1960s. 

Chalamet said he loved being in Minnesota during his visits for research and press. 

 “I love the people here,” Chalamet said. “It’s genuine.”

Between 1959 and 1960, Dylan was enrolled at the University while establishing himself in the local music scene before leaving to pursue his career in New York. While a student, Dylan lived in Dinkytown, a neighborhood Chalamet visited prior to the premiere. 

“I never got to have a classic American college experience, so I’m trying to truncate it in these three days,” Chalamet said.

During a visit to Minnesota earlier this year, Chalamet drove to Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing to connect with his role. He visited the singer-songwriter’s childhood home, highschool and local recreation center. 

“It gave me the energetic information of what Bob went through growing up,” Chalamet said. “I feel like as an actor, if you don’t know what somebody went through, you have the insecurity in a sense, or the lack of information.” 

On a separate trip, Chalamet spent time in Duluth, taking a small road trip with only minor issues. Chalamet said he was driving down a highway so fast when he hit ice and skidded out. 

“Which was humbling because I didn’t know how to drive on the roads out here,” he said. 

Chalamet said he loved visiting as a 28-year-old New Yorker. 

“I don’t think my path would have really brought me out here,” Chalamet said. “I got here and thought, ‘Oh, what a gift.’”

The northern Iron Range of the state influenced Dylan’s earlier music. Chalamet said he listened to his discography constantly during filming, avoiding pieces from the 80s and 90s.

While filming, Chalamet considered reaching out to the people his castmates were portraying to create a clearer picture of the enigmatic Dylan. While discussing the matter with Mangold, he decided to form his portrayal from the music rather than other’s testimonials.  

“The winds of time affect everyone’s opinion, and people tend to present a more flattering version of themselves, and you never really know what happened,” Chalamet said. 

Capturing the essence of Dylan, Chalamet received praise from the enigmatic singer himself who posted on X,  “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.” 

The unexpected endorsement floored Chalamet, who reaffirmed his statement on social media, “screaming, crying, laughing, screaming, laughing, pooping.”

“It’s just a dream come true if my interaction with the legendary Bob Dylan is limited to that moment,” Chalamet said. “It will have been more than I could have ever dreamed of.”