Casting Call for Anthony Bourdain Biopic in Provincetown

PROVINCETOWN, Massachusetts — The upcoming film “Tony,” a biopic about the late chef Anthony Bourdain, is seeking local restaurant workers to be a part of the production. Open casting calls are now underway, specifically looking for men with “dynamic, unique personalities” to portray kitchen staff.

Filming will take place in Provincetown from May through early July. The casting call is open to male applicants of all ages and ethnicities, and while prior acting experience is not necessary, applicants should have experience working in a restaurant kitchen, according to production details.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their name, a recent photo, and a brief personal description to the email address [email protected]. The film will star Dominic Sessa as a young Bourdain and Antonio Banderas in an unspecified role. Directed by Matt Johnson, known for the 2023 film “BlackBerry,” this movie is expected to explore Bourdain’s early culinary experiences in Provincetown.

Bourdain began his career washing dishes and cooking in local restaurants during the 1970s. The Flagship Restaurant, a now-closed establishment, was among the places where he worked. He often expressed gratitude for his time in Provincetown, calling it a transformative period that set him on the path to becoming a celebrated chef.

In a previous interview, Bourdain reminisced about his Provincetown days. “I was a deadbeat. And Nancy Poole comes home from work and says, ‘Our dishwasher didn’t show up today. You are our new dishwasher.’ And the next day I put on the apron and I didn’t take it off for 30 years,” he said.

The film, set in the summer of 1976, will cover Bourdain’s final summer on the Cape before heading to culinary school. “Tony” adds to the growing number of projects that have emerged since Bourdain’s death in 2018, including the 2021 documentary “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain.” As more stories about Bourdain are told, some critics argue that it’s time to move on from the constant exploration of his life.

A release date for “Tony” has not yet been announced. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.