Dominic Sessa Negotiates Starring Role in A24’s Anthony Bourdain Biopic

A new project is on the horizon that has generated a lot of excitement. A24 is reportedly negotiating to acquire the rights to “Tony,” a biopic about the life of celebrity chef and documentarian Anthony Bourdain, multiple sources told IndieWire.

Dominic Sessa, who gained fame from last year’s “The Holdovers” by Alexander Payne, is in talks to portray Bourdain. Matt Johnson, known for directing “Blackberry,” is in discussions to direct, working from a screenplay by Todd Bartels and Lou Howe.

According to sources, no agreements have been finalized yet, and A24 has declined to comment on the matter.

Details about the plot are still under wraps, and it remains unclear if the film will focus on a specific period of Bourdain’s life or be based on particular source material.

Producing “Tony” are Trevor White and Tim White from Star Thrower Entertainment, known for movies like “The Post” and “King Richard.” They’ve previously partnered with A24 on the upcoming “Eternity,” featuring Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller. Emily Rose is on board as the executive producer.

Anthony Bourdain became an overnight sensation thanks to his bestseller “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,” where he revealed the secrets of the kitchen and brought an honest, no-nonsense approach to food. His enthusiastic yet straightforward commentary on everything from world-class sushi to simple scrambled eggs made him an icon throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Tragically, Bourdain died by suicide in 2018. His life was later chronicled in the 2021 documentary “Roadrunner” by Morgan Neville.

Dominic Sessa debuted in “The Holdovers” and impressed audiences alongside Paul Giamatti, showcasing his character’s intellect, sarcasm, and emotional depth. Going forward, he will appear in the film “Tow” with Rose Byrne, Michael Showalter’s holiday comedy “Oh. What. Fun.,” and “Now You See Me 3.”

Matt Johnson is represented by CAA and Chris Spicer at Akin Gump. Dominic Sessa is represented by CAA, Untitled, and Steve Warren at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. The news was first reported by Deadline.

Source: IndieWire, Deadline