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The Sopranos prequel casts a crucial character

Photo credit: HBO
Photo credit: HBO

From Digital Spy

The Sopranos' prequel movie has made an impressive choice to play one of the most important characters in the franchise's mythology.

The '60s-set mob movie is in advanced talks with A Most Violent Year and American Hustle actor Alessandro Nivola as the infamous Sopranos family figure Dickey Moltisanti, reports Deadline.

While he was killed before the events seen in The Sopranos, Dickey's legacy was frequently evoked as both the father of Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) and the mentor of young Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini).

Photo credit: Noam Galai/FilmMagic - Getty Images
Photo credit: Noam Galai/FilmMagic - Getty Images

[Alessandro Nivola]

The Many Saints of Newark is expected to show that relationship between Dickey and a young Tony during the period when Tony's father Johnny Boy Soprano was behind bars. Dickey also got in over his head when he fell in love with his own father's much-younger new wife.

The prequel film is being written by series creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner, a Sopranos veteran whose other credits include Boardwalk Empire and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Photo credit: HBO
Photo credit: HBO

[The Sopranos flashback]

It was announced back in July that Chase was turning over directing duties on the prequel to Game of Thrones and Marvel director Alan Taylor. So, it seems like the long-awaited project is in good hands!

It's likely the only follow-up to The Sopranos that fans are likely to get, since Chase has ruled out ever doing a direct sequel to the show now that series star James Gandolfini has sadly passed away.

The Many Saints of Newark doesn't yet have a cinema release date.


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