HBO‘s “Sopranos” is considered by many as the benchmark of cable television drams and helped usher in a huge wave of mature dramas that elevated cable as the place for audiences to get quality shows. Warner Bros. didn’t feel like letting the near-perfect series about the New Jersey mafia rest as they’re about to release “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel that focuses on a young Tony Soprano played by the late James Gandolfini’s son Michael Gandolfini and Christopher’s slain father Dickie Moltisanti portrayed by Alessandro Nivola (“Jurassic Park 3,” “American Hustle“) navigating the gangster life before modern advances in technology and policing.
The film’s director Alan Taylor has revealed during a chat with The Hollywood Reporter that series creator/screenwriter David Chase is interested in more “Sopranos” content but stopped short of saying if it would be a continuation of the original series or a prequel like the upcoming feature film focusing on those new actors instead in sequels or even a new show.
“David said something that sounded like he was talking about [making more content]. I said, ‘Wait wait, are you talking about a sequel?’ And he said, ‘Maybe,'” Taylor told THR about David Chase’s desire to keep making “Sopranos” content (film or television?).
It’ll be interesting how audiences and longtime fans react to “The Many Saints of Newark” and if it’s able to hold a candle to the original series quality-wise, but there is surely a lot of optimism from those working on the film that if WarnerMedia wants more that David Chase is willing to give them more.
The film’s other cast members include Jon Bernthal as Tony’s father Johnny Boy, Cory Stoll as Uncle Junior, Vera Fargmia as Livia Soprano, Billy Magnussen as a young Paulie, John Magaro as a young Silvio, Leslie Odom Jr. as Harold McBrayer, and Ray Liotta (“Killing Them Softly,” “Goodfellas“) taking a role as Aldo Moltisanti.
READ MORE: Mike White’s ‘The White Lotus’ Renewed For Season 2 By HBO With A New Cast & New Locale
A group of actors that seem tailor-made for a follow-up series or movies if asked back.
“The Many Saints of Newark” will be released in theaters and HBO Max on October 1.