When James Mangold announced real-life people would show up in A Complete Unknown. Many legendary artists crossed paths with Bob Dylan, including none other than Johnny Cash, who Dylan formed a real-life friendship with. This made the Man in Black’s inclusion seem likely, sparking curiosity over who might play the iconic musician. For many, there was one obvious choice

In 2005, James Mangold to cast Johnny Cash in A Complete Unknown, he opted not to bring back Phoenix, a decision that proved essential for the integrity of the movie..

Joaquin Phoenix Returning As Johnny Cash In A Complete Unknown Would Have Been Distracting

This Wasn't The Line Joaquin Phoenix Needed To Walk

As much as audiences loved Phoenix’s portrayal of Cash in Walk the Line, bringing him back would have done more harm than good. For starters, A Complete Unknown is not a sequel or even a companion piece to Walk the Line. The film focuses on Bob Dylan, played by Timothée Chalamet, and the pivotal relationships in his early career. While Johnny Cash plays a ing role in Dylan’s story, casting Phoenix would have overshadowed the film’s central narrative.

Phoenix’s return would have also come with significant baggage. His iconic performance in Walk the Line remains etched in viewers’ minds, and seeing him reprise the role could have pulled focus away from Dylan’s story. Additionally, Phoenix is no longer the right age to play Cash during this specific chapter of Dylan’s life. Casting him would have required significant adjustments to the story or distracting makeup and CGI effects, none of which align with Mangold’s grounded filmmaking style.

Mangold’s decision to start fresh with a new actor for Johnny Cash allowed A Complete Unknown to stand on its own merits. The film isn’t trying to recreate Walk the Line, and avoiding casting Phoenix helped ensure that it didn’t feel like it was. Luckily, Mangold found the perfect person to wear the black suit.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash Return Would’ve Robbed A Complete Unknown Of Boyd Holbrook’s Version

A Complete Unknown Needed a New Face For The Man In Black

Instead of bringing Phoenix back, Mangold cast the actor Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash. Holbrook, known for standout roles in Narcos where he played DEA agent Steve Murphy, and the calculating villain Donald Pierce in Logan, brought a fresh perspective to the role of Cash. His performance captures the essence of the man without feeling like an imitation of Phoenix or Cash himself. The decision was the right one because Holbrook’s take on Cash has been praised as a highlight of A Complete Unknown.

Boyd’s natural charisma and nuanced acting bring authenticity to the role, making Cash feel like a real person rather than a larger-than-life icon. This version of Cash complements Dylan’s journey, helping to flesh out the world around the young singer-songwriter without detracting from Chalamet’s performance. If Phoenix had returned, there’s a good chance Holbrook wouldn’t have been cast at all. The decision to move forward with a new actor gave Mangold the freedom to cast someone who could fully inhabit the role in the context of this specific story. Holbrook’s performance is a testament to why Mangold’s choice was the right one.

James Mangold Explained Why He Never Considered Joaquin Phoenix To Be In A Complete Unknown

Joaquin Phoenix Was Never In The Cards

James Mangold has been clear that he never considered bringing back Joaquin Phoenix for A Complete Unknown. "Johnny Cash is a character in A Complete Unknown, but this is not his story. To bring Joaquin back would have sent the wrong message about the movie we’re making.” Mangold emphasized that Dylan’s journey is the focal point, and Johnny Cash is just one of many influential figures in his orbit.

While Mangold acknowledges Phoenix’s incredible performance in Walk the Line, he believes that the two films are entirely separate, and casting Phoenix would have been inappropriate for this story. By recasting Cash, Mangold reinforced the idea that A Complete Unknown is about Dylan’s relationships, collaborations, and creative evolution. Holbrook’s performance adds depth to the story without taking it over, something that may not have been possible with a more recognizable actor like Phoenix in the role.