The much-hyped Sopranos prequel The Many Saints Of Newark is already one of the most hotly anticipated movie events of the year. For fans of the original show, the chance to see the origins of some of television's most iconic characters is simply too tempting to be ignored. However, beyond simple narrative choices, the upcoming movie has one secret weapon that, for now at least, remains tantalizingly under wraps.
The Many Saints Of Newark will tell the story of Dickie Moltisanti – uncle of Tony Soprano and father of Christopher from the original show. While key details of the plot remain sketchy, the film is set in 1967, around the time of the Newark race riots – one of the most tumultuous periods in the city's history. Against this very real backdrop is woven the fictional story of the DiMeo crime family and the origins of several key figures from The Sopranos TV series. Alongside the likes of Tony and Dickie, other familiar characters include Corrado "Junior" Soprano and Livia Soprano – played by Vera Farmiga.
With so many iconic returning Sopranos characters, The Many Saints Of Newark promises to provide an entirely new perspective on one of the most celebrated series of all time. However, in addition to recasting classic roles, the movie also has a bonafide secret weapon in the form of Michael Gandolfini. In the movie, Gandolfini will be playing the part of Tony Soprano, made famous by his father, James. Given that James Gandolfini's performance is widely lauded as one of the greatest of all time, on either the big or small screen, interest around his son taking on the role is understandably elevated. In fact, for many people, scrutiny around the portrayal of Tony Soprano alone will be enough to persuade them to head to the theatre.
Although Gandolfini is prominent in the trailer, promotion around The Many Saints Of Newark has still done a good job of keeping key parts of his performance hidden from the public. Aside from a few lines of dialogue and violent set pieces, many of the more nuanced aspects of his portrayal remain intriguingly absent. For instance, there is very little direct interaction between Tony Soprano and his mother – a relationship which, as fans know from the series, is extremely volatile and plays a vital role in shaping Tony's personality. Similarly, there is no time devoted to Tony's bond with his father. Considering the in-depth psychological analysis offered throughout The Sopranos during Tony's sessions with Dr. Jennifer Melfi, how Michael Gandolfini articulates these complex relationships on screen is an exciting prospect.
Irrespective of the possibilities for characterization, however, it is undeniable that the idea of James Gandolfini's son taking on one of the most iconic – and therefore intimidating – roles in 21st-century pop culture is absolutely mouth-watering. While the younger Gandolfini has extensive acting experience, appearing in hits such as Ocean's 8 and The Deuce, living up to his father's legacy is clearly a monumental challenge. As he explained himself, preparing for the role of Tony Soprano was extremely challenging. Given the complex emotional dynamics going on both behind and in front of the camera, The Many Saints Of Newark can be forgiven for keeping its cards close to its chest.
