The most recent stop of the promotional tour for “A Complete Unknown” featured a unique twist. Timothée Chalamet, star of the Bob Dylan biopic, arrived at the London premiere on Tuesday riding on a Lime rental bike. Despite the torrent of free publicity, he later revealed that the e-bike provider levied a $79 fine for improperly parking the bicycle after he reached BFI Southbank.
Chalamet has taken an unconventional route to garner attention for his new hit movie. He appeared at his own look-alike contest in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park in October, where the NYPD arrested four people during the chaos caused by the spontaneous gathering, according to the New York Times. Chalamet also appeared on ESPN’s “College Gameday” ahead of the SEC Championship Game in December to deluge his love for college football and sports in general, and livestreamed himself dancing to Bob Dylan and then the Black Eyed Peas’ hit “I Gotta Feeling” in a giant warehouse.
So the bike ride didn’t seem out of character by this point, but he didn’t explain on the red carpet why he pedaled to the occasion. The New York–born actor delved into further detail once the tour rolled into his father’s native France. The Hollywood Reporter explained:
However, he recently revealed on the talk show “Quotidien,” while promoting the biopic in France, that he actually got a £65 fine that night, which equates to $79.53, for not parking the bike properly.
Chalamet explained that while a bike is more eco-friendly, he actually opted out of taking a car to make it to the premiere on time as there was a traffic jam. And though he made it to the premiere, it ultimately cost him.
“It was horrible, because it was actually kind of an advert for them [Lime],” the Wonka actor quipped.
Chalamet’s fine is understandable, given the reputation that Lime and its rival Bird have garnered over the years. Cities quickly became with bikes and scooters dumped wherever from pedestrians to trip over. While the publicity was undoubtedly welcome, Lime probably loved showing that no one is above its terms and conditions.