You know what they say, keep it in the family. Acting chops that is! When a Sopranos movie was recently announced – framed as a prequel to the legendary TV show – the choice of who to cast to play a young Tony Soprano was an obvious one.
Though it’s rumored that young Tony’s character won’t have much screen time, he’s still a crucial character to the movie plot. Unfortunately, however, not only has James Gandolfini passed, but he would have been about 57 years old during movie filming and far too aged to play a young Tony. For that reason, the movie’s executives cast none other than Michael Gandolfini, James’ son, in the role.
Michael closely resembles his father, and he also has an uncanny ability to mimic his dad’s on-screen mannerisms. Titled The Many Saints of Newark, the movie clearly means a lot to Michael. The actor had the following to say about the gig:
“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.”
Michael sounds like he has what it takes to fill his dad’s shoes. Will the prequel live up to the fame and glory of the early 2000s crime drama? Stay tuned for 2020 when the Sopranos film is to be released!
Want to see something scary? The Sopranos intro starring Vladimir Putin.
