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We Just Got Our First Glimpse Of Michael Gandolfini As Tony Soprano In ‘Sopranos' Prequel—And The Family Resemblance Is Striking
After six amazing seasons as the iconic character it's hard to imagine anyone besides the late James Gandolfini stepping into the role of Tony Soprano.
But it looks like his son Michael might have been born to play the part.
This week fans got their first look at The Many Saints of Newark, HBO's upcoming Sopranos prequel movie which features Gandolfini's son Michael as a young Tony Soprano.
Not many details are known about the story yet, but one thing's for sure, Michael is the spitting image of his dad.
The 19-year-old Gandolfini was photographed alongside co-star Jon Bernthal as the pair filmed a scene in Brooklyn earlier this week. Even under a mop of long hair Michael still managed to pull off his dad's bearish presence.
Along with Gandolfini and Bernthal, Ray Liotta and The Departed actress Vera Farmiga are also said to be a part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded cast.
The film which is slated for release in 2020 is reportedly set in 1967 against the backdrop of the Newark race riots.
Rumors are the plot will center Christopher Moltisanti's father Dickie, played by Alessandro Nivola.
There's no word on which character Bernthal is playing yet, but eagle-eyed fans will notice the resemblance to Tony's father, Johnny Boy from the flashback in the episode "Down Neck," which is where we also got our first glimpse of a young Tony.
@ValWhoOnline Jon Bernthal sur le tournage de '' Many Saint of Newark'' le prequel de la série Les Sopranos ! 😉 https://t.co/tHe8UGEAQM— Alien (@Alien) 1554899821.0
Even looking the part, Michael still has some pretty big shoes to fill.
The 19-year-old actor has appeared in a handful of features so far including Ocean's Eight, but living up to what many consider one of the greatest television performances of all time is a tough job for anyone.
Fans seem ready and excited though for the young Gandofini's performance.
@justinddiamond Brilliant. Can't wait. 😄.— The Men And Women 1916/republic (@The Men And Women 1916/republic) 1555078854.0
@justinddiamond This is so perfect 😌— Jen (@Jen) 1555128900.0
@TheSopranosClub @DailyMailUK @immatureAMRCN That is so awesome! Make your dad proud Michael!— mkahn1977 (@mkahn1977) 1554906290.0
@TheSopranosClub @DailyMailUK @immatureAMRCN You got this Michael, you got this! ...— Kent Sladyk (@Kent Sladyk) 1554900640.0
@justinddiamond https://t.co/aCIgqZVHa4— KEITH TELEVASQUEZ (@KEITH TELEVASQUEZ) 1555118803.0
@TheSopranosClub @DailyMailUK @immatureAMRCN Hauntingly a dead on match to his dad for obvious reasons..— Bruce Carchman (@Bruce Carchman) 1554900849.0
It did get a bit emotional though for fans watching Michael step into his father's shoes.
The elder Gandolfini died in 2013 at the age of 51 after suffering a heart attack, but no doubt he would be proud to see his son taking over the role.
@justinddiamond https://t.co/rM9S8cECDK— RyanDiMeglio (@RyanDiMeglio) 1554905892.0
@justinddiamond https://t.co/z46aAC1g5M— Max (@Max) 1554905208.0
@shomshabbos @justinddiamond Cristo dio è lui Big T Little big T Repsect https://t.co/mwjht8zc9X— pieslo (@pieslo) 1555075313.0
@TheSopranosClub @DailyMailUK @immatureAMRCN I miss James so much, and still have a hard time believing he’s gone 😢… https://t.co/cC4I3hClIy— TruthSeeker (BARR-None) (@TruthSeeker (BARR-None)) 1554935135.0
And though it may be a while before they get to see, it fans can rest easy knowing the production is in goods hands.
The story, which is based off a script co-written by series creator David Chase, is being directed show veteran Alan Taylor who directed the series from 1999-2007.
The Many Saints of Newark is scheduled for release on September 25, 2020.