'The Sopranos' Prequel Movie Announces Title and Release Date

New Line Cinema finally revealed the official title and release date for the Sopranos' prequel movie.

Hit HBO series, The Sopranos’ prequel movie was already greenlit by the New Line Cinema back in March 2018, but now the studio has officially announced the film title as well as its release date. Although the movie tagline was previously slated as "The Many Saints of Newark," as of recent, the production team has changed it to a rather shorter title, "Newark." This Alan Taylor directorial is set to start its theatrical run on Sept. 25, 2020.

Additional details regarding the film are yet to be disclosed by any of the in-house members, however, the storyline of the movie is pretty much expected to take place in New Jersey primarily unfolding the Newark riots of the 1960s—the time when African-American and Italian-American crime syndicates were at the wars with each other.

The Sopranos' prequel will release on Sept. 25, 2020.
SOURCE: Variety

Taylor who has had a handful number of experience in directing, back from his TV days is known for wheeling nine episodes of The Sopranos, six episodes of Sex and the City, four episodes of Bored to Death and seven episodes of Game of Thrones. The 60-year-old director is also well popular for directing the 2013 sequel "Thor: The Dark World" for which he succeeded Patty Jenkins after the latter dropped out from the same project.

Newark will feature rather younger versions of the actors who appeared on the television show when it ran for 86 episodes on HBO from 1999-2007. Alessandro Nivola, who appeared in Nicolas Winding Refn's 2016 film "The Neon Demon," has been signed up for playing the younger self of Christopher Moltisanti's father, Dickie Moltisanti. Likewise, the de-aged Tony Soprano will be played by Michael Gandolfini, son of the late James Gandolfini, who himself was the main lead in the Sopranos.

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“It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,” Michael said in a statement which was later reported by Variety and Deadline after his casting was announced.

“I’m thrilled that I am going to have the opportunity to work with David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled,” Michael lauded of the series creator.

For his role of Tony Sopranos, Gandolfini won one Golden Globe Award, three SAG awards, and three Emmys. The actor died of a heart attack in 2013 at the age of 51.

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Meanwhile, it hasn’t been confirmed if the rest of the original casts will make an appearance in the film. Goodfellas' actor, Ray Liotta--who was originally offered the role of Tony Soprano in the principal series has also concurred to join the big screen project. Liotta had also declined another role from the Sopranos when he was offered the character of “Ralphie” Cifaretto back in its production phase. Eventually, the part was accepted by Joe Pantoliano, and ironically, he later went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2003.

Ray Liotta who previously declined the role of Tony Soprano in the original series is set to appear in the prequel. 
SOURCE: Google 

Fun Fact: Even the original show, the Sopranos was first pitched as a feature film by the series creator, David Chase who now has been recruited to pen the screenplay for the prequel. In fact, the showrunner also had another name, Made in New Jersey before they eventually changed it into the titular title.  

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The Sopranos is revered as one of the iconic television series of all time. It won a multitude of awards, including Peabody Awards for its first two seasons, 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards.

The series also became the first project from the cable television to win the Emmy award for Outstanding Drama Series. Besides the aforementioned casts, the film also includes Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro and Michael Gandolfini.