“The Holdovers” star Dominic Sessa will officially don the apron of kitchen legend Anthony Bourdain, alongside Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas in a new biopic from A24.
Banderas’ role is under wraps, and Sessa was reported as in talks for the project from director Matt Johnson (“Blackberry”) last summer. The film, titled “Tony,” will take place in 1976 when a young Bourdain has a life changing experience working and living in Provincetown, Mass. Cameras are set to roll next month.
Johnson directs a script from Todd Bartels and Lou Howe. A24 will co-finance and co-produce with Star Thrower and Zapruder Films. Star Thrower is run by Tim and Trevor White, who also just wrapped the forthcoming A24 drama “Eternity” from director David Freyne, screenwriter Pat Cunnane and stars Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, Callum Turner, and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Director Johnson and Matthew Miller co-produce via Zapruder.
Chris Stinson, Amy Greene, Lou Howe, Todd Bartels and Emily Rose will executive produce. Bourdain’s estate rep Kimberly Witherspoon will serve as executive producer, alongside Chris Stinson, Amy Greene, Lou Howe, Bartels and Emily Rose.
Johson, who just took his “Nirvana The Band The Show The Movie” to SXSW, is repped by CAA and Chris Spicer at Akin Gump. Sessa is represented by CAA, Untitled and Steve Warren at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. Banderas is represented by Emanuel Nunez at NuCo Media Group and George Hayum at Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.
Star Thrower is represented by CAA and attorney David Boyle.