A trailer for the forthcoming biopic, titled "Tony," focusing on the early life of Anthony Bourdain, has been released. The film, slated for an August theater debut, centers on a 19-year-old Bourdain's initial experiences working in a Cape Cod kitchen.
The film's release has already generated conversation around the nature of adapting Bourdain's life, given his extensive self-documentation through books, television, and interviews.
The trailer features Dominic Sessa, known for his role in "The Holdovers," portraying the young Bourdain. Director Matt Johnson stated he chose Sessa for his perceived similarities to Bourdain. Bourdain's estate has issued a statement of support for the film, noting appreciation for the portrayal of his "complexity, his intellectual appetite and his conviction."
The production, backed by A24, also stars Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall, and Antonio Banderas.
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A Look at the Production and Cast
"Tony" is directed and co-written by Matt Johnson, who previously helmed "BlackBerry" and "Nirvanna the Band – the Show – the Movie." The script credits include Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe.
The film's cast includes:
Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain
Emilia Jones as Nancy
Dagmara Domińczyk
Rich Sommer as Pierre Bourdain
Stavros Halkias as Dimitri
Leo Woodall as Sal
Antonio Banderas as Ciro
Context and Controversy
The biopic's approach to Bourdain's narrative has been a point of discussion. Some question the necessity of a dramatized retelling when Bourdain himself was such a prolific storyteller. The production faced an earlier controversy regarding the alleged use of AI to recreate Bourdain's voice, a detail noted in reports prior to the trailer's release. Bourdain's estate, however, expressed hope that the film will remind audiences that "every journey has a start."
