The creator of the show is writing the prequel.
Variety have reported that The Sopranos is getting the big screen treatment and David Chase, the man who created the beloved HBO series, is writing the screenplay with Lawrence Konner.
New Line is developing the movie prequel, currently titled “The Many Saints of Newark”, and the film will be set in the era of the Newark riots in the 60s, when African-Americans and Italians were adversaries.
According to Deadline, the prequel film will include characters that appeared on the HBO series, most likely younger versions of Tony Soprano’s father and mother, played in the original series in flashback by Joseph Siravo and Nancy Marchand. Tony’s uncle Junior is also expected to appear.
Since ending in 2007, the legacy of the The Sopranos has only continued to prosper as the superb drama constantly finds new audiences. In case you haven’t seen the show then you’re in for a treat.
The Mafia epic revolves around the fictional character, New Jersey-based Italian American mobster, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and his criminal organisation.
The show was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in every year that it was eligible, and is the first cable TV series to receive a nomination for the award. The drama is widely regarded as being one of – if not the – greatest TV shows of all time.
On that note, the episode entitled Pine Barrens, episode 11 of its third season, is one of the finest episodes in the history of TV.
Since The Sopranos ended, Chase made his directorial debut with 2012’s Not Fade Away but it’s clear that he still has some unfinished business with the Mafia.
We’re very interested to see what this will be like. Hell, if it’s half as good as the show, we’re in for a treat.
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