One of the most iconic television series of all time will be given new life by way of a feature film, in the prequel titled “Newark” that will make it to the silver screen 13 years after the series finale.
“Newark,” previously named “The Many Saints of Newark,” is co-produced and written by Sopranos series creator David Chase, along with Lawrence Konner who have scripted a story set in the era of the Newark riots in the 1960s, during the height of tension between African Americans and Italian Americans in the city.
In terms of casting, a long list of respected names will be seen in the film, including Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Ray Liotta, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro and Michael Gandolfini, the latter who’s playing a younger version of the role his late father once made legendary; New Jersey kingpin Tony Soprano. Other details involve the character of Dickie Moltisanti played by Nivola, who’s the late father of Christopher Moltisanti (played by Michael Imperioli) and cousin of Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco). Although this character never appeared in the HBO series as he was killed before the story’s timeline, his legacy and influence were clearly established as someone who helped the family become a legitimate power in the world of organized crime.