While production on The Many Saints of Newark, the upcoming prequel film of HBO’s groundbreaking The Sopranos, is expected to begin soon, the film has just rounded out its cast. Per Deadline, the film has added Italian actress Michela De Rossi (Boys Cry) has filled the film’s final major lead role for the anticipated prequel.
Not much has been revealed about her character, but according to Deadline she will play an “ambitious Italian immigrant who comes to America and settles in Newark.” This will mark De Rossi’s first role in North America after appearing on television in Italy, namely the series I topi (The Rats) and the film Boys Cry.
Scripted by The Sopranos creator David Chase and directed by Alan Taylor, the film will take place during the era of the Newark riots in the ’60s when African Americans and Italian Americans in the city were at each other’s throats, and explores the rise of the DiMeo crime family. Alessandro Nivola is set to play Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Michael Imperioli’s Christopher Moltisanti from The Sopranos. Between himself and Tony Soprano, who will be played by James Gandoflini’s son Michael Gandolfini, other characters from the original series may also show up in the film.
Featuring in the cast of The Many Saints of Newark are Alessandro Nivola (Disobedience), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Jon Bernthal (The Punisher), Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Corey Stoll (The Strain), Billy Magnussen (Game Night), John Magaro (Not Fade Away) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Murder on the Orient Express), while James Gandolfini’s son Michael Gandolfini (The Deuce) will play a young Tony Soprano.
Newark is set for release on September 25th 2020. Production is expected to begin next week in New Jersey and New York.
Originally published March 27, 2019. Updated May 13, 2019.
