Tony Director Matt Johnson Reveals ‘The Finest Scene In The Film’ [Exclusive Interview]

Word: Spoilers forward for “Tony.”

Properly, talking of punching folks within the face, that scene the place Leo’s character punches Antonio within the kitchen –

Matt Johnson: It is the most effective scene within the film.

It is so good. I used to be questioning when you guys may simply inform me a little bit bit about what that was like — Matt, out of your finish, to conceive that and execute it, and for you guys, simply to be there for that.

Matt Johnson: It was scary.

Stavros Halkias: It was unbelievable.

Matt Johnson: It was full-on scary, as a result of — this can be a actual testomony to Leo. Lots of people consider Antonio in that scene, however actually, Antonio is simply sort of shocked and surprised him, and Leo goes off. And we’re all in that room collectively. That kitchen’s small, and I by no means left. I am all the time in there with these 4 guys. It was us watching this occur, and I believe everyone was identical to, “Jesus, how far is Leo going to go?” When he whipped the dish on the wall and it exploded in every single place, the digital camera goes over to Dom, and Dom is actually hiding, nearly out of focus. I do not know. It is my favourite scene.

Stavros Halkias: Yeah, I agree. We received to be bystanders, and nonetheless, it was like –

Dominic Sessa: It felt like, “I do not need to be on this room. I really feel so uncomfortable.”

Stavros Halkias: Completely. And going into that scene, I used to be like, “Properly, this man, my man, he would get entangled.” I am considering that. I keep in mind considering, “Would he actually simply let this little piece of –”

Matt Johnson: You even say that within the scene afterwards!

Stavros Halkias: Yeah, yeah, completely. Afterwards. However that is why it made a lot sense, as a result of that is what I believed. After which it is a pure testomony to Leo, he utterly took over that room, and it –

Matt Johnson: You could not say a phrase to him.

Stavros Halkias: It felt trustworthy and actual that my loudmouth character shuts up simply utterly, after which afterwards –

Matt Johnson: [He says] “I might’ve killed him. I might’ve killed the man.”

Stavros Halkias: Yeah. It ended up being superbly carried out. However yeah, there’s been a few issues the place I am like, ‘Holy s***, what I felt was particular,’ and even you saying it, bro, I am having goosebumps enthusiastic about that efficiency, and that was a standout second. That day on set, I used to be watching Antonio and Leo in that scene, and it actually, they felt so actual. I’ll keep in mind that eternally, really — how I felt.

Matt Johnson: And I am going to inform you what I really like in regards to the scene is that it is such an antidote to the scene the place Stavros runs at Dom and nearly in a play-fight method. Do you keep in mind, nearly 20 minutes earlier the place you really get to see the fraternal, “We’re f***ing round and we will battle, we will play battle.” Stavros throws a complete factor of celery at him they usually knife battle. They battle, however that is preventing like boys.

And for the primary time, now unexpectedly, there have been no phrases exchanged. They only fought and now they’re watching two males battle, and it is now not humorous. And so everyone is simply quiet like, “Wait a minute, wait a minute. We have trespassed into a spot that this group by no means goes, and we do not have the working directions for what to do subsequent.” Yeah, I beloved it, and Dom performs it so effectively, simply his two mother and father preventing like, “What the f*** do I do?”

“Tony” is in restricted theaters now, and expands huge on August 21, 2026.