Parts Unknown will end with the season that starts this fall, but CNN has plans for more Anthony Bourdain: A big-screen documentary about his life and work is in the pipeline.
“Bourdain was a treasured friend, colleague and collaborator whose work profoundly affected people around the world,” a CNN communications spokesperson told The Times on Friday, confirming that a feature film is in production.
Envisioned as a “definitive” documentary of the world traveller’s life and work, the movie is a joint effort between CNN Films and Zero Point Zero, the production company behind all of the world traveller’s TV work, the spokesperson said.
The Bourdain estate is cooperating.
“There was still a hunger to know more about him, and to honour his work and celebrate him,” Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content, told Vanity Fair, which broke the news on Thursday.
Details are scant, but Entelis told VF’s the Hive that “the documentary format became one of the more obvious ways to go.”
The plan is to hit the festival circuit next year, with a theatrical release later. Ultimately the movie will also air on CNN.
Bourdain killed himself in a hotel room in France on June 8. The premiere date for a final, shortened season of Parts Unknown has yet to be announced.
