Mick Jagger took the stage at the Oscars on Sunday night to present the award for Best Original Song, and as always, he made sure to leave the audience with a few laughs. The legendary Rolling Stones frontman started with a cheeky comment about how he wasn’t actually the first choice for the gig.
“I’m greatly honored to be invited to give this award for Best Original Song tonight, and much as I love doing it, I wasn’t the first choice to give this award out,” Jagger quipped before revealing a little behind-the-scenes scoop. “The producers wanted Bob Dylan to do it. Bob didn’t want to do it because he's had the best songs this year—well, obviously, in the movie A Complete Unknown. Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger.’ So here I am.”
The crowd laughed along, but as it turns out, Jagger wasn’t just making a joke. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bob Dylan really did turn down an invitation from the Academy. Not only was he asked to present an award, but he was also given the chance to perform one of his songs at the prestigious event. However, Dylan declined both offers, leaving the producers to find an alternative—and who better than another rock and roll icon?
Dylan’s absence didn’t go unnoticed throughout the evening. He actually became the subject of not just Jagger’s joke but also one from Oscars host Conan O’Brien. While delivering his monologue, O’Brien threw in a witty remark about the folk legend, saying, “To play Bob Dylan, Timothée Chalamet learned how to sing. In fact, the singing was so good he almost lost the part.” He then added with his signature deadpan delivery, “Dylan wanted to be here tonight, but not that badly.”
Timothée Chalamet, who took on the role of Dylan in A Complete Unknown, was among the night’s major nominees. His portrayal of the music icon had been met with widespread acclaim, and he even earned a nomination for Best Actor. While he ultimately lost the award to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, Chalamet didn’t leave the awards season empty-handed. He had previously won the SAG Award for his performance, marking a significant achievement in his career.
During his SAG Awards acceptance speech, Chalamet took a moment to reflect on the sheer effort and dedication he put into portraying Dylan. “I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me,” he said. “But the truth is this was five and a half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero. It was the honor of a lifetime playing him.”
It’s no surprise that Chalamet went all in for the role. Under the direction of James Mangold, A Complete Unknown aimed to capture the essence of Dylan’s early years, chronicling his rise to fame and the cultural impact he had on the music industry. Given the complexity of portraying such a legendary figure, it’s understandable that Chalamet would have had to put in years of preparation to truly embody Dylan’s persona, from his mannerisms to his iconic vocal style.
And if there was any lingering doubt about Chalamet’s ability to bring Dylan to life, the music legend himself put those concerns to rest. Dylan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the film and its leading man, offering high praise for Chalamet’s performance. “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me,” Dylan wrote in his signature enigmatic style.
Having Bob Dylan’s approval is no small feat, especially for a project as ambitious as A Complete Unknown. The film delves deep into Dylan’s journey, exploring not just his music but also the shifting identity and artistic evolution that have defined his career. With Mangold at the helm and Chalamet in the spotlight, the film has generated a lot of buzz, and many fans are eager to see how it captures the spirit of one of America’s most iconic musicians.
As for the night’s big musical win, the Oscar for Best Original Song went to El Mal from Emilia Pérez. While Jagger’s rock and roll energy made for a memorable presentation, the award itself was a testament to the diverse musical talent showcased in cinema today.
So, while Dylan may not have made an appearance, he was certainly a presence at the Oscars, both through the film A Complete Unknown and through the humor woven into the ceremony. And as Jagger proved once again, whether it's rock music or award shows, he knows how to steal the spotlight and keep the audience entertained.
With awards season wrapping up, all eyes are now on A Complete Unknown and how it will be received by both Dylan fans and casual moviegoers alike. Will it become one of the definitive rock biopics? Only time will tell, but with Chalamet’s dedication and Dylan’s endorsement, it’s definitely one to watch.
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