Dominic Sessa, best known for his breakout performance in “The Holdovers,” has officially signed on to portray the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain in an upcoming A24 biopic titled Tony.
The film, directed by Matt Johnson (BlackBerry), will chronicle a pivotal moment in Bourdain’s early life — his transformative time in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1976.
Joining Sessa in the cast is Oscar-nominated actor Antonio Banderas, whose role has yet to be disclosed. Production for Tony is scheduled to begin next month.
The biopic is set before Bourdain enrolled in culinary school, focusing on his experiences that ultimately inspired his renowned culinary and storytelling career. Bourdain rose to global prominence with the release of his 2000 memoir Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and gained further fame through Emmy-winning TV series such as No Reservations and Parts Unknown. He passed away in 2018 in Strasbourg, France at the age of 61.
Tony is written by Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. The film is being co-produced and co-financed by A24, Star Thrower Entertainment, and Zapruder Films. Star Thrower, led by Tim and Trevor White, recently wrapped another A24 project titled Eternity. Director Johnson co-produces alongside Matthew Miller under the Zapruder banner.
Bourdain’s estate representative, Kimberly Witherspoon, will serve as executive producer, along with Chris Stinson, Amy Greene, Lou Howe, Todd Bartels, and Emily Rose.
Sessa is represented by CAA, Untitled, and Steve Warren at Hansen Jacobson. Banderas is repped by Emanuel Nunez of NuCo Media Group and George Hayum. Director Matt Johnson is repped by CAA and Chris Spicer at Akin Gump.
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