Few stars in Hollywood can claim to have an impressive and versatile repertoire of films under their belt in their 20s. Timothée Chalamet is one of those celebrities. At just 28 years old, Chalamet has created a unique niche for himself while also working with diverse directors from Christopher Nolan to Luca Guadagnino to Denis Villeneuve.
After he made his mark in independent films like Call Me By Your Name and Beautiful Boy, the talented star went on to prove that he is blockbuster-worthy as well through the Dune films and Wonka. Chalamet, who was the youngest among many legends in the Oscars Round Table interview in 2018, showed impeccable maturity when questioned by his senior peers, and earned high praise from fans across the world.
Timothée Chalamet Is Wise Beyond His Years And Fans Are Impressed
There is no denying the fact that Timothée Chalamet has a rare talent that has already made him one of the biggest young stars of Hollywood. With a filmography that even a seasoned veteran would be envious of, the Wonka actor has proved that age is just a number when it comes to memorable characters and roles.
From his tender and intense coming-of-age portrayal in Call Me By Your Name to his blockbuster star presence in the Dune series, Chalamet is well on his way to superstardom. But beyond his skill as a performer, the Interstellar star has also shown that he has an intelligent, balanced, and mature head on his shoulders.
This aspect of his personality was seen when he rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of Hollywood at the Actors Roundtable ahead of the Oscars in 2018. Chalamet, who was only 23 years old at the time, was in the presence of superstars like Hugh Jackman, Chadwick Boseman, Mahershala Ali, and Viggo Mortensen, and impressed all these stalwarts with his perfect replies to their queries.
When asked about his biggest influences in cinema who inspired him to become an actor, the Dune star was all grace and clarity as he quoted many legends like Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix, and Denzel Washington who played a huge part in his evolution. Speaking of what he learnt from their efforts, he said,
It’s a remarkable dedication of being present in the moment. When I see Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight or Joaquin Phoenix in Master opposite Phillip Hoffman, you think ‘wow that guy doesn’t know what he’s doing right now, he’s just living it’.
And that’s exciting, because it’s that mirror thing again when you’re learning about humanity or that character or that version of that environment that they are portraying in that movie.
This clip, which was shared by Shari Shaw Studios on Instagram, saw many viewers being effusive in their praise towards Chalamet for his confident and assured presence among many huge superstars. One viewer commented on his perfect answer and said,
They were testing him and he passed.
Another fan also lauded his train of thought and ability to assess the questions being posed and answering them with clarity, which was a very impressive trait in someone so young. Needless to say, 6 years down the road from that interview, Chalamet has proved that every assumption of him was absolutely spot on.
Denis Villeneuve Could Not Look Past Timothée Chalamet As Paul Atreides
It is difficult to imagine anyone other than Timothée Chalamet portraying the central character Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise. While the actor amply proved his worth in both films, his casting was severely criticized when Villeneuve signed him on for the role in 2018.
With films like Call me By Your Name, Beautiful Boy, and Little Women under his belt, fans believed that the actor was an ideal fit for off-beat dramas and romances that perfectly encapsulated his personality. His entry into Dune as Paul Atreides signaled a completely different kind of aesthetic.
While many viewers felt that the Interstellar actor’s physicality and looks suited the initial version of the character who is a young boy learning the ways of the world, the general consensus was that Chalamet would not be able to convey Paul Atreides’ startling evolution as a powerful leader.
But Villeneuve believed otherwise. The Blade Runner 2049 director stated that the young star possessed a powerful personality that would brilliantly translate on to the big screen as his character arc developed. In an interview with USA Today, the filmmaker revealed why the Wonka star was the only choice for the role.
It was like we had witnessed the birth of Beatlemania. It was crazy. Timothée has that kind of charismatic power. And I needed that for the audience to believe this young man will be able to raise and lead an army, and then lead a whole planet.
The Sicario director was so convinced with his decision to cast the Oscar nominee, that he worked the whole script of Dune around Chalamet and his character. There is something to be said about a strong gut instinct, and Villeneuve proved that his instincts were spot on regarding Chalamet, who is now well on his way to becoming a huge Hollywood superstar.
