Timothée Chalamet Refused to Make Video About Bob Dylan’s Transformation (Exclusive)

Actor Timothée Chalamet spent five years mastering the guitar and harmonica – not to mention singing – to portray legendary singer Bob Dylan in the new film A complete unknown.

But when it came to his transformation, the 28-year-old actor chose to keep the details a secret. “The whole thing was really just kind of a magical experience,” Chalamet tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I don’t want to ruin it with words because it’s really deeply personal to me. All I can say is just be there. “The time was great and I lived it.”

For more information on Chalamet’s transformation into Bob Dylan, see A complete unknownpick up this week’s edition of PEOPLE.

Set in New York in the early 1960s, the film spans four years of Dylan’s life, during which the 19-year-old from Minnesota becomes one of the most famous singer/songwriters in history. Although Chalamet admitted he knew very little about the musician before taking on the role, he threw himself into the prep work, including mastering the guitar and harmonica during five years of production delays due to COVID-19 and industry strikes.

The time also allowed him to work with a vocal coach, studying Dylan’s performances and interviews to improve his posture and how it affected his tone.

To capture Dylan’s unique look, the hair and makeup team focused on three looks: the boy moving to New York, young Bob after getting a record deal, and the more well-known musician with big hair and Ray -Bans.

In addition to more than 60 wardrobe changes that reflected the times, Chalamet opted to wear a subtle prosthetic nose and varying sideburn lengths to demonstrate the passage of time. Other small details included Dylan’s uneven shave, dark shadows under his eyes, and his longer and sometimes dirty fingernails.

Edward Norton, who portrays folk legend Pete Seeger in the film, was impressed by Chalamet’s commitment. “From day one, Timothée was so impressed,” he says. “I was completely overwhelmed by his seriousness and his dedication to this cause.”

The actor also supported Chalamet’s hesitation to reveal details about the transformation. “People would come up to him and say, ‘Oh, let’s make a time-lapse of you turning into Bob Dylan for social purposes.’ They want to look behind the scenes.’ And he said, ‘Absolutely not,'” Norton says. “He was so mature and so disciplined to maintain his bladder throughout the entire magic trick.”

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As for 83-year-old Dylan, he posted on Or a Younger Me on December 4th. Or any other me.” While Chalamet says he had no direct contact with the musician, he calls Dylan’s words “beyond my wildest dreams.” And it was more than enough. I’m very grateful for that.”

A complete unknown hits theaters on Christmas Day.