A new trailer for The Many Saints of Newark sets up Tony’s future killing of Christopher. The new The Many Saints of Newark trailer comes less than a month away from the October 1st premiere of the long-awaited prequel to The Sopranos. As with Warner Bros’ other 2021 releases, the film will be available to HBO Max subscribers on the same day. Written by Sopranos creator David Chase and directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), The Many Saints of Newark will feature new characters as well as the return of many fan-favorites including Paulie Walnuts, Junior Soprano, Silvio Dante, and Tony Soprano.
Set in the 1960s and ‘70s, the prequel will revolve around Dickie Molisanti (Alessandro Nivola), Christopher’s father, and his actions to increase the family’s wealth and influence in the New Jersey underworld. Though Dickie was never officially introduced in The Sopranos, he represented a notable influence on Tony and even referenced as a father figure. Consequently, the film will also feature the origins of Tony Soprano and his close relationship with Dickie. Tony Soprano is of course played by the late James Gandolfini’s son, Michael, who will have large shoes to fill.
The relationship between Tony Soprano and Dickie Moltisanti will likely be the most compelling part of the film, especially knowing Tony’s future admiration for Dickie and complex relationship with Christopher. In The Sopranos, Tony considers Christopher a nephew and repeatedly looks out for his interests. Surprisingly, Christopher has officially been confirmed as one of the returning characters from The Sopranos, albeit as a baby. Nonetheless, Tony’s brief introduction to baby Christopher at the end of the trailer actually foreshadows Christopher’s future death at the hands of Tony.
The moment comes at the very end of the newest trailer for The Many Saints of Newark as the characters are gathered around for a family dinner. In the trailer, Dickie Moltisanti holds out a baby and introduces everyone to his new son, Christopher. Tony is seated closest to Dickie and turns to greet the happy baby, but the moment Tony says hello, Christopher bursts into tears. When Dickie takes Christopher away, Tony says, “It’s like I scare him or something.” This simple line foreshadows their entire complicated relationship and ultimately, Tony’s killing him in season 6.
As if that single line wasn’t enough foreshadowing for one dinner, the elderly lady seated beside Tony at the table adds, “Some babies, when they come into this world, know all kinds of things from the other side.” The implication here is, Christopher knows how his relationship with Tony will eventually end. Tony kills Christopher after discovering Chris’s heroin addiction and losing faith in his self-proclaimed nephew. This cryptic scene is made darker only by the fact that Christopher is still an innocent child. Moreover, it plays with the notion that all these characters have predestined fates of which the audience has knowledge.
Consequently, it will be interesting to see how the film plays with additional foreshadowing, given their target audience is so familiar with the characters. It’s conceivable the prequel will showcase many nods to the original HBO series and hint at future character arcs audiences are familiar with. The Many Saints of Newark may also set up the murder of other significant Sopranos characters such as Sal Bonpensiero and Richie Aprile. Whether this is done or not, The Many Saints of Newark clearly sets up Christopher’s death and will likely tease many familiar Sopranos stories.
