Timothee Chalamet opens up about Hollywood's pressure to bulk up into 'right body' type for blockbusters
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Timothee Chalamet opened up about the pressure he faced early in his career to fit the physical mold required for blockbuster roles.
In a candid conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, the Oscar-nominated actor revealed that his agent once advised him to gain weight to be considered for leading roles in major movie franchises.
Timothee Chalamet recalls his initial auditions
Timothee Chalamet reflected on his early auditions for popular young adult film franchises like 'Divergent' and 'The Maze Runner'.
According to the actor, casting executives frequently commented on his slim frame, suggesting that it was a barrier to securing roles in these high-energy, action-driven movies.
“If I auditioned for 'The Maze Runner' or 'Divergent', things of that variety that were popping when I was coming up, the feedback was always, ‘Oh, you don’t have the right body,’” he shared.
He recalled his agent’s advice at the time, saying, “You got to put on weight,” though it was suggested more as a necessity than a strict demand.
Timothee Charlamet on finding success outside blockbusters
Timothee Chalamet chose a different route rather than conforming to Hollywood's expectations as he opted for roles in smaller, indie films that allowed him to showcase his acting talent rather than his physical appearance.
He found critical acclaim in films like 'Call Me by Your Name', 'Lady Bird', and 'Little Women', which prioritized character-driven storytelling over big-budget spectacle.
“I found my way into these very personalized movies,” said Chalamet, adding, “Those were smaller budget, but very, I don’t know how else to put it, personable movies that started in this theater space."
"This is where I found my rhythm, my confidence, my flow, whatever you want to call it,” he added.
Timothee Chalamet to portray Bob Dylan
Timothee Chalamet, who is set to portray legendary songwriter Bob Dylan in the upcoming biopic, 'A Complete Unknown', likened his underdog journey in Hollywood to that of the iconic musician’s early career.
“For [Dylan], it was folk music,” he explained.
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“He couldn’t keep a rock and roll band because they would all get hired by other kids that had more money, literally, in Minnesota,” he continued.
The biopic, directed by James Mangold, focuses on the pivotal moment when Dylan famously switched from acoustic folk to electric guitars, a move that revolutionized the music industry.
Mangold, who co-wrote the script with Jay Cocks, draws inspiration from Elijah Ward’s 2015 book 'Dylan Goes Electric!', according to The Independent.
'A Complete Unknown' is scheduled to hit theatres on December 25, 2024.
