In what’s probably the most apt and touching piece of casting in recent Hollywood memory, James Gandolfini‘s son Michael Gandolfini will play a young version of Tony Soprano, the role his late father made beyond iconic, in the hotly anticipated Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints of Newark.
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The much talked-about film is set in the 60s and follows the fortunes of the DiMeo crime family during the infamous long, hot summer of 1967, and focuses on Christopher Moltisanti‘s father Dickie, as well as Tony Soprano‘s father Johnny Boy.
19-year-old Michael Gandolfini will follow in his father’s footsteps as Young Tony, keeping the iconic Soprano role in the family, following the sudden death of James in 2013 at the age of 51.
In a statement published by Deadline, Michael asserted it was a “profound honour” to breathe new life into the legacy left by his late father.
It’s a profound honour 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.
The Many Saints of Newark is working off a script penned by series creator David Chase and longtime collaborate Lawrence Konner. Frequent Sopranos director Alan Taylor is helming the project.
Michael Gandolfini has been gaining prominence in the acting world as of late, with a breakout turn in HBO series The Deuce coming last year. He also had a small role as a bus boy in Ocean’s Eight.
The young Gandolfini now joins the previously announced Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Alessandro Nivola, Corey Stoll, and Billy Magnussen in the cast of The Many Saints of Newark.
Shooting on the film is expected to begin this year.
