Focus Features
A24 has dropped the first look at Tony, their upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic from BlackBerry director Matt Johnson. The Holdovers breakout Dominic Sessa stars in the main role as the beloved late chef and world traveler.
Tony will not be a career-spanning retrospective, but will instead follow Anthony Bourdain in the summer of 1975 when he traveled to Provincetown, Massachusetts — a period in his life that was detailed in his acclaimed breakout book Kitchen Confidential.
Bourdain died by suicide in June 2018 at age 61 while filming Parts Unknown in Strasbourg, France. He was one of the most culturally influential figures of his generation — a chef who became a writer who became a television presence who effectively redefined how Americans think about food, travel, and authenticity.
Dominic Sessa, who made his feature film debut in Alexander Payne’s Best Picture-nominated film The Holdovers in 2023, stars in the film as Anthony Bourdain. A24 will be releasing the first trailer for the project on Tuesday, May 5.
The first look at Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in the Tony biopic has been released
Enjoy the ride. TONY trailer tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/3eobk4Yi0L
— A24 (@A24) May 4, 2026
Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in the biopic ‘TONY’.
Directed by Matt Johnson (‘Nirvanna: The Band – The Show – The Movie’) pic.twitter.com/NclBl2kSUo
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 4, 2026
First look at Matt Johnson’s ‘TONY’ starring Dominic Sessa, Emilia Jones, Leo Woodall and Antonio Banderas.
(Source: https://t.co/82gAf9X9RV) pic.twitter.com/6STRI4thQL
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 4, 2026
Bourdain’s estate released the following statement in support of the project, which Johnson is directing on the heels of the success of BlackBerry in 2023 and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie earlier this year.
“Anthony Bourdain’s legacy is meaningful to millions of people. He was a man who valued authenticity above all else and would have been both moved and baffled by the world’s curiosity about his life.”
“We chose to support Tony because it is not a standard biopic and doesn’t attempt to summarize a life. Guided by the vision of director Matt Johnson, the film depicts one transformative summer in 1975 in Provincetown, Massachusetts. It is an interpretation, as that part of Tony’s life will always remain somewhat unknown.”
“We appreciate the portrayal of Tony’s complexity, his intellectual appetite, and his conviction — qualities that eventually took him around the globe and endeared him to so many. We hope this film serves as a reminder that every journey has a start, and that audiences see the beginnings of the man who taught us how to be better explorers on our own paths.”
In addition to Sessa in the lead role, Tony also stars Emilia Jones, Dagmara Domińczyk, Rich Sommer, Stavros Halkias, Leo Woodall, and Antonio Banderas.