Fans are already buzzing about the upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic “Tony,” with early reactions filled with anticipation. The film chronicles the life of the late chef and television icon, with Dominic Sessa stepping into the lead role and Antonio Banderas rounding out the cast.
Excitement ramped up after the release of the movie’s first official poster, which confirmed that “Tony” is slated to arrive in theaters this summer.
The first official poster for “Tony” gives fans an early glimpse at Sessa stepping into Bourdain’s shoes. In the image, the actor strikes a firm, almost defiant pose while dressed in a chef’s uniform, with a busy kitchen scene and fellow chefs blurred out behind him.
The poster also features a striking quote that appears to nod to Bourdain’s early years and personal transformation: “I was—to be frank—a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, and badly in need of a good -ss-kicking.”
Fans Praise Casting Choice For Bourdain Biopic
A biopic about Bourdain is set to hit theaters later in August, and a newly released poster has fans already buzzing with anticipation. Many were especially thrilled to see Sessa tapped to portray the late culinary icon.
“Oh, he was so fabulous in ‘The Holdovers.’ Excited to see him in this,” one fan wrote, while another added, “Been wondering what he would do next. This kid is going places.”
“As a huge Bourdain fan, I’ll be pretty emotional if Dominic Sessa manages to capture the wittiness/cynicism that Tony had,” a third user shared.
Others pointed to director Matt Johnson as another reason for the hype, with one fan noting, “Anything Matt Johnson does, I’m hyped for.”
Dominic Sessa Teases Anthony Bourdain Biopic Timeline
Ahead of the film’s summer release, Dominic Sessa has offered a rare glimpse into what fans can expect from the upcoming Tony biopic.
The actor shared the details while attending the premiere of the third installment of the “Now You See Me” franchise on November 10, 2025, revealing that the film takes a more focused approach to Anthony Bourdain’s early years.
“It’s a sort of origin story in a way,” Sessa told PEOPLE Magazine at the time. He also noted that production took place in early 2025 across locations in and around Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Sessa further hinted at the specific chapter of Bourdain’s life being explored, explaining that the story is set in the mid-1970s.
Sessa Calls Bourdain Role ‘Best Experience’
That same month, Sessa sat down with Entertainment Weekly to open up about stepping into Bourdain’s shoes in the upcoming “Tony.” The actor described it as “one of the best experiences of my life,” explaining that portraying the chef at an earlier stage made the role even more meaningful.
Sessa also said the film allowed him to connect with people who knew Bourdain during his formative years, when he was still finding his voice and passion.
According to him, one of the most surprising things he discovered was that Bourdain didn’t initially dream of becoming a chef. Instead, he had ambitions of becoming a writer before eventually blending both passions into what would define his legacy.
“He created a perfect sort of synergy of those things, which made him such a specific and special person,” Sessa said.
‘Tony’ Director Claimed Sessa Had ‘Uncanny’ Connection To Anthony Bourdain
Meanwhile, director Johnson opened up about casting Sessa as Bourdain in the upcoming “Tony.”
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed that Sessa wasn’t initially offered the role. However, after spending time with the actor, he realized there were striking similarities between Sessa’s life and Bourdain’s early journey.
Johnson described those parallels as “uncanny,” explaining that he could often tell whether a scene was working simply by watching Sessa’s reactions. To him, it was proof that the actor wasn’t just performing, but truly inhabiting the character.
“More than any movie I’ve ever made, this film was a partnership with an actor,” Johnson said. “He is in every shot of the movie and carries the entire story on his hunched shoulders.”
