Few series can rival *The Sopranos* for the title of “greatest series of all time.” A groundbreaking HBO production that aired from 1999 to 2007, it intricately blended mafia tropes with family drama through Tony Soprano’s struggles with anxiety and therapy. The controversial series finale in 2007 left Tony’s fate ambiguous. Almost fifteen years later, the prequel film *The Many Saints of Newark* was released, featuring Michael Gandolfini as a young Tony, though it struggled at the box office despite strong streaming success and is now available on Netflix.
Today, few series can rival *The Sopranos* for the title of “greatest series of all time.” Aired from 1999 to 2007, this HBO production spanned six seasons and heralded a new golden age of American television, often referred to as the era of ‘troubled men’, named after a notable book by Brett Martin.
The brilliance of *The Sopranos* lies in its ability to twist traditional mafia tropes by intertwining them with family drama. In the very first episode, we meet Tony Soprano – a gruff mobster from New Jersey – who is overwhelmed by an anxiety attack.
He soon begins therapy with a psychoanalyst (played by Lorraine Bracco), confiding in her about his family troubles and the issues he faces with his other “family,” his mob clan.
A Controversial Ending
*The Sopranos* is a true writing gem, featuring a flawless cast that includes James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, Edie Falco as his wife Carmela, and Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, whom Tony regards as a nephew despite having no blood relation.
The series concluded on June 10, 2007, with one of the most controversial finales in American television history. While some viewed the ambiguous ending as a stroke of genius, others regarded it as a misstep, leaving unresolved the fates of Tony Soprano and his family.
Nearly fifteen years after this episode aired, a related film titled *The Many Saints of Newark* was released. This official prequel, written by David Chase (the creator of *The Sopranos*), is set in the 1970s, thirty years prior to the series’ storyline.
The film’s main character is Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), the father of Christopher. A young Tony Soprano also appears in a minor role. The production faced the challenging task of finding a worthy successor to the late James Gandolfini.
The Perfect Choice to Succeed James Gandolfini
Ultimately, the choice fell on an actor who seemed destined for the role. Michael Gandolfini, the real-life son of James Gandolfini, was selected to portray the young mobster. His striking resemblance to his father and similar acting style provided a fitting tribute to the late actor without veering into imitation.
Despite the high expectations surrounding this film derived from *The Sopranos*, *The Many Saints of Newark* did not perform well at the box office. Released during a challenging time (delayed multiple times due to COVID-19, the film premiered simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max), it garnered only $13 million worldwide against a budget of $50 million.
A small consolation: *The Many Saints of Newark* found great success in streaming. During its first week, the film broke viewing records, accumulating millions of views across the United States. Its theatrical failure was likely just a minor setback, attributed to the pandemic’s impact.
*The Many Saints of Newark*, the spin-off of the acclaimed series *The Sopranos*, is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Check out the list of films currently available on the platform!