The Sopranos changed television history forever, and now the prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark, looks to explore the series’ leading man’s history.
The Many Saints of Newark follows the rise of Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) in New Jersey’s criminal underbelly under the guidance of his uncle, Dicky Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola).
Family comes first for Tony, and so too does his entry into mob-life and all the crime and colourful characters associated with it.
Fans of the era-defining TV series The Sopranos look to be in for a treat here, with the film co-written and produced by original series creator David Chase.
The trailer gives us a good look at young Tony, played by Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late, great, original series’ leading star James Gandolfini.
Gandolfini Jr looks like an excellent fit for the role if going purely on looks, though he is relatively untested as an actor.
Thankfully, he has an excellent supporting cast to back him up, including Alessandro Nivola, who serves as Soprano’s mentor into the criminal life.
The pair are joined by several perfectly cast actors that include Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta, and Vera Farmiga.
The Many Saints of Newark takes place during the 60s and 70s and revolves around the rising tensions between Italian-American and African-American communities.
There are plenty of mob movie tropes that Sopranos and crime movie fans have come to love, so if director Alan Taylor can deliver the goods, then fans could be in for a modern mafia movie classic with this one.
However, Taylor’s record isn’t great, with his two most recent features, Terminator Genesys (2015) and Thor: The Dark World (2013), being poorly received.
Some luck and the perfect storm of writing, producing, and acting talent should help the director please the series’ legion of dedicated fans.
Check out The Many Saints of Newark in cinemas from 23 September 2021.
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