A24’s got its Anthony Bourdain. The indie studio, known for gritty, soulful films, has cast Dominic Sessa, the Bafta-nominated breakout from The Holdovers, to play the late chef and storyteller in a biopic titled Tony. Announced on April 23, 2025, the project’s already stirring buzz for its bold choice of a young actor to embody the complex, world-wandering icon. Antonio Banderas, an Oscar nominee, is also on board, though his role’s being kept under wraps for now.
Sessa, barely 22, steps into big shoes. Bourdain, who died in 2018, was more than a chef—he was a voice, raw and unfiltered, who turned kitchen life into literature with his 2000 memoir Kitchen Confidential. The film, directed by Matt Johnson of Blackberry fame, zeroes in on 1976, a pivotal year when a young Bourdain was just starting to carve his path. It’s a risky move, betting on Sessa to capture the restless spirit of a man who’d later charm millions on TV with No Reservations and Parts Unknown.
A24’s been circling this project since at least August 2024, when early talks with Sessa surfaced. The studio, tight-lipped as ever, confirmed the casting through official channels, signaling they’re all-in on this one. Banderas’ addition only amps up the stakes—his gravitas could balance Sessa’s youthful energy, though no one’s spilling who he’s playing yet. Johnson’s directing style, known for its sharp, almost chaotic edge, suggests Tony won’t be a glossy tribute but a deep dive into Bourdain’s early hustle.
The biopic’s announcement has already sparked chatter on X, where A24’s official posts and Variety’s coverage laid out the news plain and simple. No fluff, just facts: Sessa’s the lead, Banderas is in, and the film’s set to explore a young Bourdain finding his way. Fans of the chef, who turned food into a lens for culture and humanity, are watching closely. This isn’t A24’s first rodeo with real-life stories—think The Iron Claw or The Bling Ring—but it’s one of their boldest swings yet.
Production details are scarce. No start date’s been locked in, and A24’s keeping the script close to the chest. What’s clear is the focus: a scrappy, pre-fame Bourdain, long before the TV lights and book deals. The choice of 1976 grounds the story in his early days, likely digging into the grit of New York’s restaurant scene. Sessa, fresh off a Bafta nod for his role as a troubled prep-school kid, brings a rawness that could fit the bill. Banderas, with his knack for intense, layered characters, only adds fuel to the fire.
The project’s rooted in confirmed reports from major outlets and A24’s own statements. No rumors, no guesswork—just the kind of hard news you’d hear clattering out of a newsroom typewriter. Sessa’s casting was first teased in August 2024 by Deadline, with A24 finalizing the deal by spring 2025. Banderas joined shortly after, per Variety’s April 23 drop. The film’s title, Tony, nods to Bourdain’s inner circle, a detail that hints at the personal angle Johnson’s chasing.
That’s the story so far. A24’s betting on Sessa to channel Bourdain’s fire, with Banderas as a heavy-hitter in the wings. Johnson’s at the helm, and the script’s eyeing a young chef’s life in ’76. No release date’s set, and no one’s saying who Banderas is playing. Just the facts, straight from the wire.