Timothée Chalamet is fully embracing his electric era.
The actor turned heads today as he arrived at the London premiere of his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, in a manner as memorable as the legendary musician himself—on an e-bike. The stunt appeared to be a cheeky nod to Dylan’s iconic (and controversial) 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance, where he famously "went electric" with an amplified band after years of acoustic performances.
Chalamet’s arrival wasn’t just about his mode of transport—it was a full-style moment. Dressed in a custom Martine Rose suit, the actor sported a cropped double-breasted blazer with exaggerated shoulders, layered over a patterned floral shirt and a peek of a ribbed undershirt. The outfit perfectly matched the eclectic, boundary-pushing aesthetic that Rose is known for.
Upon reaching the red carpet, Chalamet caused a flurry of excitement, pedalling to the centre before dramatically dismounting his heavily branded e-bike. After a brief struggle to secure the kickstand and a quick check of his phone—likely to end the ride on a bike-share app—he struck a series of poses for photographers. Whether he biked the entire way to the premiere or had the bike waiting for a staged arrival remains unclear, but the moment added a playful, method-acting twist to the event.
This quirky arrival ties neatly to the narrative of A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold and based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! The film explores Dylan’s transition from folk icon to rock pioneer, a move that initially shocked his fanbase. Chalamet’s choice to channel Dylan’s rebellious spirit is a continuation of his method-inspired promotion for the film. At the New York premiere, he recreated Dylan’s bold 2003 Sundance Film Festival look—blonde streaks and all—and he’s also set to perform as Dylan on an upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live.
Chalamet’s e-bike entrance isn’t just a homage to Dylan’s electric revolution; it’s also a nod to his New York City roots, where Citi Bikes are as much a staple as yellow taxis. While the actor might be making a playful case for sustainable transit, his ironic take on method acting ensures that his red-carpet moments remain as talked-about as the roles he plays.
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