Michael Gandolfini Says He Never Watched His Late Father's HBO Series 'The Sopranos' Before Joining The Prequel 'Newark'

When it was announced that Michael Gandolfini was cast as Tony Soprano in “Newark” (formerly titled “The Many Saints of Newark”), fans of the HBO series “The Sopranos” were ecstatic, as the actor is the son of the late James Gandolfini, who was the iconic lead for that show. As you might expect, the younger Gandolfini has a lot of the same looks and mannerisms of his father, but there was one big problem — Michael Gandolfini had never seen his father’s legendary series.

Speaking to Esquire, the actor talks about why he never watched “The Sopranos” and what it was like watching the show that made his father a household name, in light of the elder Gandolfini’s passing. Needless to say, it was an emotional experience and could add even more layers to the upcoming “Newark.”

“The funny thing is, before the audition, I had never watched a minute of ‘The Sopranos,’” said the actor. “I was just a kid when he was making it. I would go to the set and ask him what it was about, and he’d say, ‘Oh, it’s about this guy who’s in the mob and kind of goes to therapy.’

READ MORE: ‘Sopranos’ Prequel Film Gets A Simpler Title And A Fall 2020 Release Date

He continued, “The hardest part of this whole process was watching the show for the first time. It was an intense process. Because, as an actor, I had to watch this guy who created the role, to look for mannerisms, voice, all those things I would have to echo. But then I’d also be seeing my father. I think what made it so hard was I had to do it alone. I was just sitting alone in my dark apartment, watching my dad all the time. I started having crazy dreams. I had one where I auditioned for David and I looked down at my hands, and they were my dad’s hands.”

“Newark” is said to be a period crime drama that focuses on the racial strife that existed in Newark, New Jersey, between the Italian mob and the African Americans that lived in the community. While there will be some familiar characters that are known to fans of “The Sopranos,” the fact that “Newark” takes place decades prior to the series puts a new spin on the characters that you think you know, including the aforementioned Tony Soprano.

“Newark” is expected to be released on September 25, 2020.