Hollywood’s rising star Timothée Chalamet, acclaimed for his roles in Dune and Call Me By Your Name, recently opened up about the challenges he faced in pursuing lead roles in mainstream cinema. In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Chalamet shared how he was advised early in his career to gain weight to secure parts as a male lead in larger-budget productions.
Chalamet recalled that when he auditioned for high-profile action franchises like The Maze Runner and Divergent, the feedback often pointed to his physique, saying he “didn’t have the right body” for such roles. He further shared that his agent had subtly encouraged him to bulk up if he wanted to compete for the lead in big studio films. Reflecting on that period, he explained, “I found my groove in smaller budget movies that had depth and personality,” crediting this path for helping him discover his rhythm and confidence as an actor.
Since then, Chalamet has become a defining presence in character-driven roles, earning critical acclaim for his performances in Lady Bird, Little Women, Beautiful Boy, and the Dune franchise. He has since embraced his unique style and choices, proving that success doesn’t always fit a mold.
Chalamet’s next role will see him embody the iconic Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a biopic anticipated by fans and critics alike.
