'The Many Saints of Newark': first trailer for 'The Sopranos' prequel arrives

The film will be an origin story that follows a young Tony Soprano

Michael Gandolfini as a young Tony Soprano in 'The Many Saints of Newark'. Courtesy HBO Max

It’s been almost 15 years since mobster Tony Soprano and his family graced television screens as part of HBO drama The Sopranos.

The hit show ended in 2007 and famously left fans with an ambiguously abrupt ending that still had many talking weeks, if not months and years, later.

Now the legendary mob boss, who was played by the late James Gandolfini, is back in The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel to the popular show.

The film, which will be released in cinemas and on streaming platform HBO Max on Friday, October 1, will focus on the early years of Tony and his relationship with mentor Dickie Moltisanti.

Callbacks to numerous other series characters are expected in the film, as shown in the first official trailer that dropped on Tuesday evening. In just under 24 hours, it already has more than 1.2 million views on YouTube.

So, for those ready to jump back into the world of Tony Soprano, here are three of the key takeaways from the newly released trailer.

It's a family affair

There is a reason why the young Tony bears such a striking resemblance to the older version: he is played by James Gandolfini’s real-life son, Michael. After the casting was announced back in 2019, insiders on the set claimed that the young actor had learnt to master his father's mannerisms and screen presence. Michael, 22, is best known for his role in HBO drama The Deuce.

The star-studded cast

The trailer also revealed an impressive cast which includes Leslie Odom Jr, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michela De Rossi and Goodfellas star Ray Liotta.

Set in the 1960s and 1970s, the film will also explore racial riots in the US as Tony grows up in Newark, New Jersey.

Fans have taken to Twitter to express how they feel about the casting, with many sharing their approval.

"[Michael Gandolfini] looks so much like his dad. Excited to see how some of the best characters from the Sopranos were when they were younger," wrote one Twitter user.

Another fan praised the trailer, saying that even though he didn't watch the original show, the film had his interest.

The origin story of Tony Soprano

Tony Soprano is one of television’s most intriguing anti-heroes. In the show, he had to learn how to balance the needs of his blood family with those of the mafia family that he controlled. He would often display the characteristics of a violent sociopath but also experienced depression and panic attacks.

Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini, Tony Sirico and Steven Van Zandt in ‘The Sopranos’.

But how exactly did he become the way he did? The Many Saints of Newark will attempt to give viewers a closer look into his upbringing and younger years to reveal how he eventually grew up to become the ruthless mobster that fans feared yet loved.