Summary
An Anthony Bourdain biopic, officially titledTony, is in the works from A24 withThe Holdoversbreakoutset to star. A celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian, Bourdain worked in many professional kitchens throughout his career, authored best-selling books, and hosted multiple world-travel television shows. In 2018, while filming on location in France forParts Unknown, Bourdain died by suicide at the age of 61, but left behind an immense legacy concerned with cultural appreciation and culinary adventure.
PerDeadline, a Bourdain biopic, titledTony, is in the works withThe HoldoversbreakoutDominic Sessa set to staras the late chef and television personality. The project is from the production company Star Thrower Entertainment, though A24 is in negotiations to acquire the package. Matt Johnson (Blackberry) is also set to direct, with a script by Todd Bartels and Lou Howe.
What To Expect From Tony
What Part Of Anthony Bourdain’s Life Will The Biopic Cover?
Bourdain graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 and worked in many professional kitchens during the 1980s and ’90s, including several years as the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in Manhattan. From these experiences, Bourdain wrote the New York Times best-selling book,Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, which made him a media sensation almost instantly and popularized his direct, no-nonsense style that he would become known for.
After his breakout book, Bourdain began hosting world-travel television shows, including Food Network’sCook’s Tourand Travel Channel’sAnthony Bourdain: No ReservationsandThe Layover. However, it was CNN’sAnthony Bourdain: Parts Unknownthat ran for eight successful seasons and further cemented him as a star.It’s unknown at what point in Bourdain’s life the biopic will take place, though given Sessa’s age, 21, it will likely cover the early part of his career from his time at the CIA to working in professional kitchens, rather than his later media career.
How The New ‘Irreverent Guide’ Captures Anthony Bourdain’s TV Legacy
The new book is technically not written by the late Anthony Bourdain of Parts Unknown fame, but it uses his words to zero in on countless places.
In his book,Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain openly discusses his struggles with drug addiction during his early career as a chef and how the high-pressure environment of professional kitchens often went hand in hand with substance abuse, which could be covered by the biopic. In turn, by exploring some darker sides of the restaurant industry,Tonycould end up having much in common withFX’s critically acclaimed culinary dramaThe Bear.However, the biopic shouldn’t focus too much on this darker side, sinceBourdain left behind a larger legacy more concerned with exploring the world’s culture and cuisine with an open mind.
