Mickey Rourke appearing to criticize the portrayal of Bob Dylan a few days before Timothée Chalamet takes on the myth of rock.
“Bob Dylan was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met,” Rourke, 72, wrote on Instagram on Monday, December 23 with a photo of the music icon. “But whoever the actor was who played Bob Dylan in ‘Portrait Bob Dylan’ the actor really sucked. Mickey, Dima and the children are disappointed.”
Although Chalamet was not named, Rourke’s post comes days before the young actor’s new film, The Complete Unknownreleased on Christmas Day.
In the film, Chalamet, 28, portrays Dylan, now 83, from the beginning of his career in 1960s New York to his famous electric guitar performance of “Like a Rolling Stone” at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
One person who seemed very happy with the acting and the film was Dylan himself.
“There is a film I am opening soon called The Complete Unknown (What a topic!). Timothee Chalamet plays the lead role,” Dylan wrote about X on December 4. “Timmy is a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’ll be as completely believable as I am. Even if I’m young. Or another one of me.”
Dylan explained that the film was taken from it Elijah Wald‘s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015.
“It’s an interesting account of the events from the early 1960s that led to the Newport fiasco,” he added. “After you’ve seen the movie, read the book.”
Chalamet later expressed his gratitude for Dylan’s post by replying, “Floored. Thank you very much. Thank you Bob.”
As part of the role, Chalamet enlisted the help of a voice coach before he could sing and play guitar live on set. Speaking to Apple Music in November, the actor called the role “the most unique challenge I’ve ever faced.”
While it’s unclear what Dylan thinks of Rourke’s latest Instagram post, he’s previously expressed surprise at his career on the big screen.
In his memoir titled Chronicles, Volume OneDylan recalled seeing Rourke’s performance on Homeboy and shared how it influenced his album Oh Mercy.
“He can break your heart with a look,” Dylan wrote. “The film went to the moon every time it came on the screen. No one could hold a candle to him. He was just there, he didn’t have to say hello or goodbye. Just seeing him act gave me the motivation to cut the last two songs for this album.”
Us contacted Rourke’s team for comment.
The Complete Unknown will be in theaters on Wednesday, December 25.
