A Complete Unknown
When James Mangold announcedA Complete Unknown , a film dig into Bob Dylan ’s transformative rise to folk and rock candy legend , fans quickly began speculating about what otherreal - aliveness people would show up inA Complete Unknown . Many legendary artists crossed paths with Bob Dylan , including none other than Johnny Cash , who Dylan form a material - life friendship with . This made the Man in Black ’s comprehension seem likely , sparking peculiarity over who might roleplay the iconic player . For many , there was one obvious choice
In 2005,James Mangold directed the Johnny Cash biopicWalk the credit line , a critically acclaimed moving picture chronicle Cash ’s ascent to fame and his struggle with addiction . The film became a box office hit and is now celebrated as one of the best melodious biopics of the 21st 100 . Its success was driven in large part by Joaquin Phoenix ’s Oscar - nominated performance , which play deepness , exposure , and an genuineness to Cash ’s larger - than - liveliness persona . Yet , when it came meter forJames Mangold to swan Johnny Cash inA Complete Unknown , he opt not to bring back Phoenix , a conclusion that proved essential for the integrity of the movie ..
Joaquin Phoenix Returning As Johnny Cash In A Complete Unknown Would Have Been Distracting
This Wasn’t The Line Joaquin Phoenix Needed To Walk
As much as audience have a go at it Phoenix ’s characterization of Cash inWalk the Line , bringing him back would have done more harm than practiced . For starting motor , A Complete Unknownis not a sequel or even a companion piece toWalk the Line . The film focuses on Bob Dylan , played by Timothée Chalamet , and the pivotal relationships in his early life history . While Johnny Cash plays a patronize role in Dylan ’s story , casting Phoenix would have overshadowed the flick ’s cardinal narrative .
Both A Complete Unknown and James Mangold ’s 2005 Johnny Cash movie habituate one finicky vocal to create a pivotal moment in each singer ’s life .
Phoenix ’s issue would have also total with important baggage . His iconic performance inWalk the Lineremains etched in viewers ’ minds , and seeing him reprise the character could have pulled focus away from Dylan ’s account . Additionally , Phoenix is no longer the right-hand geezerhood to encounter Cash during this specific chapter of Dylan ’s life . cast him would have required significant adjustment to the chronicle or distracting makeup and CGI upshot , none of which align with Mangold ’s found filmmaking flair .
Mangold ’s decision to set off invigorated with a new histrion for Johnny Cash allowedA Complete Unknownto digest on its own merits . The film is n’t trying to recreateWalk the Line , and avoiding redact Phoenix helped control that it did n’t feel like it was . fortunately , Mangold receive the sodding person to have on the smutty cause .
Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash Return Would’ve RobbedA Complete UnknownOf Boyd Holbrook’s Version
A Complete Unknown Needed a New Face For The Man In Black
alternatively of bring Phoenix back , Mangold wander the actor Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash . Holbrook , known for standout purpose inNarcoswhere he played DEA agent Steve Murphy , and the calculating scoundrel Donald Pierce inLogan , bring a fresh position to the role of immediate payment . His performance captures the substance of the man without feel like an imitation of Phoenix or Cash himself . The decision was the right one because Holbrook ’s take on Cash has been praise as a highlight ofA Complete Unknown .
Boyd ’s lifelike charisma and nuanced acting bring legitimacy to the role , make Cash feel like a real someone rather than a larger - than - life picture . This version of Cash complements Dylan ’s journeying , helping to flesh out the existence around the young singer - ballad maker without detract from Chalamet ’s performance . If Phoenix had revert , there ’s a skilful chance Holbrook would n’t have been cast at all . The decision to move onward with a new worker gave Mangold the freedom to cast someone who could fully inhabit the part in the context of this specific level . Holbrook ’s performance is a will to why Mangold ’s selection was the proper one .
James Mangold Explained Why He Never Considered Joaquin Phoenix To Be InA Complete Unknown
Joaquin Phoenix Was Never In The Cards
James Mangold has been clear that he never consideredbringing back Joaquin Phoenix forA Complete Unknown . “Johnny Cash is a character inA Complete Unknown , but this is not his tarradiddle . To bring Joaquin back would have sent the haywire message about the movie we ’re making . ” Mangold emphasise that Dylan ’s journey is the focal point , and Johnny Cash is just one of many influential human body in his orbit .
James Mangold and Boyd Holbrook talk about how the discovery of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan ’s letters lead to a major book change in A Complete Unknown .
While Mangold acknowledges Phoenix ’s incredible performance inWalk the Line , he believes that the two films are entirely freestanding , and casting Phoenix would have been incompatible for this story . By recasting Cash , Mangold reinforce the idea thatA Complete Unknownis about Dylan ’s relationships , quislingism , and creative evolution . Holbrook ’s performance adds depth to the story without study it over , something that may not have been possible with a more recognizable player like Phoenix in the use .
Photo by Macall Polay, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
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A Complete Unknown is a biographic motion picture that follows a young Bob Dylan as he integrates with New York and catches the eye of the folk Isaac Merrit Singer in the field , eventually motivate him into stardom .
Universal Pictures
