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Banderas Reveals Bourdain Biopic's Raw Early Years
23 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Filming involved daily fish smells in Cape Cod and Newport.
- The biopic explores Bourdain's early struggles with addiction.
- Banderas plays a mentor shaping Bourdain's culinary identity.
Antonio Banderas recounted the immersive, albeit pungent, experience of filming the Anthony Bourdain biopic, "Tony." He described spending a month and a half surrounded by the smell of fish in Cape Cod and Newport, requiring constant showering.
The Matt Johnson-directed film aims to reimagine Bourdain's early life, focusing on his struggles with depression and drug addiction after university. Banderas plays a Brazilian restaurateur who mentors the young Tony, played by Dominic Sessa, in the culinary arts and life.
Banderas emphasized the significance of mentors, drawing parallels to his own career shaped by chance encounters, particularly with Pedro Almodóvar and Paul Newman. He also reflected on returning to his theatrical roots in Malaga, finding fulfillment in stage performance.
