We have some new details onThe Sopranosprequel movie, including confirmation that the project will indeed feature a young Tony Soprano. HBO struck gold withThe Sopranos, which is largely credited with helping to usher in the golden age of television we find ourselves in today and, to this day, is considered one of the best shows ever made. Now, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are gearing up for a movie titledThe Many Saints of Newarkthat will continue the story in prequel form, taking us back to the 1960s.
Series creator David Chase recently was interviewed in honor ofThe Sopranoscelebrating its 20th anniversary this week. During the course of the conversation, he was asked aboutThe Many Saints of Newarkand, while many specific details are being kept under wraps, Chase did confirm that Tony Soprano will be an important part of the story. Here’s what he had to say about it.
“I was interested in Newark and life in Newark at that time. I used to go to down there every Saturday night for dinner with my grandparents. But the thing that interested me most wasTony’s boyhood. I was interested in exploring that… The movie will deal with the tensions between the blacks and whites at the time, and Tony Soprano will be part of this, but as a kid.”
David Chasehad been hesitant in the past to revisitThe Sopranosand, prior to James Gandolfini’s death in 2013, there was a possibility of a sequel to the series. That could have offered certain frustrated fans some satisfaction, given the series' notorious fade-to-black ending. But it’s a prequel we’re getting and Tony Soprano will be a big part of it. The movie will explore the race riots that took place in Newark, New Jersey in the 1960s. Chase further explained what drew him to this version of the project and what we can expect.
“I was against [the movie] for a long time and I’m still very worried about it, but I became interested in Newark, where my parents came from, and where the riots took place. I was living insuburban New Jerseyat the time that happened, and my girlfriend was working in downtown Newark. I was just interested in the whole Newark riot thing. I started thinking about those events and organized crime, and I just got interested in mixing those two elements… It is going to depict when it was good. The mafia was very polished at that time, how they dressed and what they did. Those traditions were followed more loosely in the series. These weren’t guys who wore tracksuits, back then.”
Alan Taylor, known for directingTerminator: Genisysand several episodes ofThe Sopranos, will helmThe Many Saints of Newark, which is expected to go into production later this year. David Chase penned the screenplay. Casting is currently underway, but there is no word yet on who will be tapped to portray Tony Soprano. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as any further details on the project are made available. This news was first reported byDeadline.
