Anthony Bourdain is getting the biopic treatment.
“The Holdovers” breakout Dominic Sessa is in talks to portray the celebrity chef and travel documentarian in “Tony,” a film from production company Star Thrower Entertainment (“The Post,” “King Richard,” “Eternity”). A24 are said to be in talks with “BlackBerry” director and co-writer Matt Johnson to helm the project.
The film’s script is written by Lou Howe and Todd Bartels. A24 is in talks to produce with Trevor White and Tim White under their Star Thrower banner, along with Johnson and Matthew Miller. Emily Rose will executive produce.
Sessa, who was named one of Variety‘s 10 Actors to Watch in 2023, is next set to appear in “Now You See Me 3” alongside fellow franchise newcomers Ariana Greenblatt and Justice Smith. Other upcoming projects include Michael Showalter’s Christmas comedy “Oh. What. Fun.” and the Rose Byrne-starrer “Tow.”
It’s not yet clear what period of Bourdain’s life the biopic will cover. The beloved television personality and host of “No Reservations” and “Parts Unknown” died by suicide in 2018. “Tony” isn’t the first film project based on Bourdain’s life; the documentary “Roadrunner” premiered at Tribeca in 2021. While the project was a critical success, it also faced controversy when filmmaker Morgan Neville revealed that he used artificial intelligence to create three quotes with the late Bourdain’s voice.
Sessa is represented by CAA, Untitled, and Steve Warren at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, while Johnson is represented by CAA and Chris Spicer at Akin Gump. Miller is represented by CAA and Chris Spicer at Akin Gump.
Deadline was first to report the news.
From Variety US