When David Chase needed to find a younger version of Tony Soprano for his upcoming film, “The Many Saints of Newark,” he did exactly what you’d expect. If you need a younger James Gandolfini, who made the character of Tony Soprano so iconic, then you just look for a younger Gandolfini. And that’s exactly what the ‘Sopranos’ creator did.
READ MORE: Vera Farmiga & Jon Bernthal Join ‘Sopranos’ Prequel Film ‘Many Saints Of Newark’
Deadline is reporting that Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late-James, has been cast to play the young Tony Soprano in the upcoming ‘Sopranos’ prequel film. As previously reported, ‘Many Saints’ takes place in the ‘60s, decades before the legendary HBO series, and tells the story of the young Soprano as he navigates a neighborhood being torn apart due to tensions between the Italian-Americans and African-Americans.
Gandolfini is probably best known for his work on another popular HBO series, “The Duece.” Deadline reports that the reason for the younger Gandolfini landing the role was boosted by his resemblance to James Gandolfini and his mannerisms, which should come as no surprise as he is the direct descendant.
The actor said, “It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano. 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.’”
The young actor joins Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, and Corey Stoll in the cast for the film. Chase co-wrote the film with his collaborator Lawrence Konner. Alan Taylor, who has directed numerous ‘Sopranos’ episodes in the past, has signed on to helm the project.