If you liked the hit HBO series THE SOPRANOS, but felt like we never quite got enough back story, get ready to be happy. Series creator David Chase is back with THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK: A SOPRANOS STORY, a prequel tale that focuses on the younger days of Tony Soprano, played here by the late James Gandolfini’s real life son Michael Gandolfini. While Tony is a big part of the story, the main focus of the movie is on Tony’s influential uncle Dickie Moltisanti, who was referenced on the show. The principal cast features Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michela De Rossi, Ray Liotta, and Vera Farmiga. The film is directed by Alan Taylor, who co-wrote the screenplay with David Chase (who also serves as producer). Check out the first trailer and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities—and whose influence over his impressionable nephew will help make the teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we’ll later come to know: Tony Soprano.