Editorial Staff
Michael Gandolfini, son of the late James Gandolfini, will play a younger version of his father’s Tony Soprano in ‘Sopranos’ prequel “The Many Saints of Newark”. Alan Taylor is directing a David Chase-written script for New Line.
Producers auditioned many young actors for the role before Gandolfini, known for his role on HBO’s “The Deuce”, won the role.
Per Deadline, “Insiders said that his screen presence, mastery of Tony’s mannerisms, coupled with his resemblance to the elder Gandolfini made him the standout choice for the role because no one there understood the character better.”
The ’60s-set project, set in Newark, will star Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen and Corey Stoll. While Soprano will feature, he won’t be the main character- in this case, the film focuses on Dickie Moltisanti (Nivola), a mentor to young Tony as his own father, Johnny Boy, was grooming his son on a pathway to organized crime prominence.
“It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,” Gandolfini, 19, said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that I’m going to have the opportunity to work with David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled for The Many Saints of Newark.”
