The Sopranos now and then: Original cast members - including Carmela actress Edie Falco - attend The Many Saints of Newark premiere alongside newcomers such as Michael Gandolfini and Vera Farmiga
- The Many Saints of Newark is set nearly 40 years before The Sopranos series and tracks the rise of Tony Soprano from troubled teen to powerful mob boss
- The series was plagued with push backs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The prequel was slated for a 2020 release but will now be released on October 1 in theaters and simultaneously on HBO Max
- Now Tony, Livia, Johnny Boy and Corrado make their long-awaited return to screens
The Sopranos are back... and while some have been recast as their younger selves for prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, other actors known for their iconic portrayal of Tony's family members were on the red carpet of the movie's NYC premiere on Wednesday.
Sopranos fans will get a closer look at the rise of their favorite mob boss in the highly-anticipated The Many Saints of Newark, which hits theaters on October 1 and is set nearly 40 years before the HBO series aired. The film reimagines the iconic mob group in their younger years against the backdrop of the 1967 race riots in Newark, New Jersey.
Michael Gandolfini, 22, plays the role that put his late father James Gandolfini on the map, Tony Soprano, in the upcoming movie.
Big shoes to fill: James Gandolfini's son Michael, 22, who portrays teenage Tony Soprano in the forthcoming feature, hit the red carpet in a stylish beige suit jacket and matching trousers
Keeping it in the family: Tony Soprano was played in the series by James Gandolfini (right) and played in the prequel by James' real-life son Michael Gandolfini (left)
Elsewhere, Sopranos veteran Edie Falco highlighted her impressively fit figure on the carpet, wearing a pair of faux leather trousers and a black button up blouse with light pink stripes.
The 58-year-old actress, who famously played Tony Sopranos' wife Carmela on the HBO series, wore her signature blonde strands in voluminous waves and rocked a minimal makeup look.
-
'I am brutally disfigured': Model Linda Evangelista, 56,... 
Bebe Rexha shows off her curves in sexy black mini skirt and... 
Lourdes Leon showcases her curves in a vinyl bra and latex... 
Sir Michael Caine, 88, puts on a jovial display as he laughs... 
Lottie Moss puts on a VERY leggy display in a thigh-split... 
Rylan Clark-Neal shares cryptic post about 'people taking...
Share this article
Carmela was Tony's trophy wife who decided to turn a blind eye to his many affairs and means of income and focus instead on the income itself.
Director Alan Taylor recently revealed that although Edie filmed a scene for The Many Saints Of Newark, it was not included in the film's final cut.
Mrs. Soprano: Sopranos veteran Edie Falco highlighted her impressively fit figure in a pair of faux leather trousers and a black button up blouse with light pink stripes
Big role: Carmela was Tony's trophy wife who decided to turn a blind eye to his many affairs and means of income and focus instead on the income itself
'We had Edie come in and she dressed up as Carmela and we shot something with her and it wound up not being in the final movie but it was a great excuse to see her again,' he told NME.
Edie was later spotted in the midst of a reunion with Sopranos costar Aida Turturro, who famously played Tony's elder sister Janice.
The 58-year-old actress put on a leggy display in a black mini dress with a pink patterned shirt over top.
More of the Sopranos original cast and crew were in attendance on Wednesday evening, including actress Lorraine Bracco and series creator David Chase.
Beaming: Edie was later spotted in the midst of a reunion with Sopranos costar Aida Turturro, who famously played Tony's elder sister Janice
Siblings: Tony's sister Janice Soprano, played by Aida Turturro (right), was a complicated and dramatic character in the original
Reunion: More of the Sopranos original cast and crew were in attendance on Wednesday evening, including actress Lorraine Bracco and series creator David Chase
Psychiatrist: Lorraine Bracco played Jennifer Melfi (pictured) who was Tony's psychiatrist and outlet for his anxiety and deeply repressed emotions, Jennifer was both fascinated and repulsed by the mobster
In the family: Chase brought along his daughter Michele DeCesare, who had a recurring role on the series as one of Tony Sopranos' daughter Meadow's closest pals Hunter
Recurring role: Michele (right) played Meadow's best friend
Bracco, who played Tony's psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, could hardly contain her joy as she wrapped her arms around her former coworker and longtime pal Chase.
Chase brought along his daughter Michele DeCesare, who had a recurring role on the series as one of Tony Sopranos' daughter Meadow's closest pals Hunter.
The Conjuring's Vera Farmiga and The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal also stepped out midweek.
Farmiga took the plunge in a stunning floor-length fuchsia gown, which she accessorized with a single strand of pearls.
The 48-year-old actress, who will portray a younger version of Tony Sopranos' mother Livia, wore her jaw-length brunette hair slightly curled and she drew attention to her plump pout with a soft application of lipstick.
Jon Bernthal looked suave in a fitted suit and a bright white button-up shirt as he struck poses in front of The Many Saints Of Newark backdrop.
Stunning: Vera Farmiga took the plunge in a stunning floor-length fuchsia gown, which she accessorized with a single strand of pearls
Mother knows best: Tony Soprano's very difficult mother Livia was originally played by the late Nancy Marchand (left) and will be played by The Conjuring star Vera Farmiglia (right) in the prequel
Suave: Jon Bernthal looked suave in a fitted suit and a bright white button-up shirt as he struck poses in front of The Many Saints Of Newark backdrop
Mysterious figure: Tony's father Giovanni 'Johnny Boy' Soprano - Joseph Siravo (left) - only featured in brief flashbacks in the original. Jon Bernthal (right) has some room for interpretation in the new movie
Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro was also in attendance with his producing partner Jane Rosenthal.
Ray Liotta, who stars in The Many Saints of Newark, had his fiancee Jacy Nittolo by his side on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, star Alessandro Nivola kept it classic in his dapper suit of choice.
Iconl: Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro was also in attendance with his producing partner Jane Rosenthal
Date night: Ray Liotta, who stars in The Many Saints of Newark, had his fiancee Jacy Nittolo by his side on Wednesday evening
Who are you? Ray Liotta has landed a role in The Many Saints of Newark, but his character has been kept tightly under wraps
Group shot: Michael Gandolfini posed for a snapshot with costars Alessandro Nivola and William Ludwig
New role: Alessandro Nivola will play Dickie, father of Christopher Moltisanti and cousin to Carmela Soprano. The character was referenced during The Sopranos but did not feature in the series because his character died in the Seventies
Alexandra Intrator, who plays young Janice, put her best foot forward in a black dress with a dramatic leg slit. The actress wore her dark brunette hair down and rocked a bright red lip.
Leslie Odom Jr., who stars in the soon-to-be release film, showed off his funky side in a unique suit jacket and pants covered in two-dimensional hands. He also kept his hands out of sight with a pair of grey arm-length gloves.
Marcia Gay Harden looked demure in an all-black getup consisting of a black cropped jacket with silver buttons and a pair of tight fitting slacks.
Funky side: The film's stars Leslie Odom Jr. and William Ludwig experimented with fashion as they arrived in eye-catching suits
All the drama: Alexandra Intrator, who plays young Janice, put her best foot forward in a black dress with a dramatic leg slit
Coming soon: Corey Stoll as Junior Soprano, Vera Farmiga as Livia Soprano, Jon Bernthal as Johnny Soprano, Michael Gandolfini as young Tony Soprano, Gabriella Piazza as Joanne Moltisanti and Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti are shown in a still from The Many Saints Of Newark due out on October 1
Fashion-forward: Michela De Rossi, Grace Van Patten, and Rachel Zegler brought the glamour in fashion-forward ensembles
Who are you? Michela De Rossi is playing an 'ambitious' Italian immigrant who comes to America to settle in New Jersey
Joey 'Coco' Diaz, who is set to play an unknown character in the film, flashed the 'hang loose' symbol as he beamed on the red carpet.
Also in high spirits while walking the carpet was actor Corey Stoll, who steps into the shoes of Tony's uncle and the official boss of the DiMeo crime family, originally played by Dominic Chianese.
The Many Saints of Newark revisits David Chase's Sopranos universe, which came to a close in 2007 after six successful seasons on HBO.
The series, which boasts an impressive 21 Emmy wins, is credited for kickstarting the 'golden age of television,' which encouraged the use of complex storytelling and character development on the small screen.
The Sopranos also turned the late James Gandolfini (who played Tony Soprano) and actress Edie Falco (who played Tony's wife Carmela) into household names.
Hang loose: Joey 'Coco' Diaz, who is set to play an unknown character in the film, flashed the 'hang loose' symbol as he beamed on the red carpet
Critical reviews: In contrast to its description, critics have since indicated that The Many Saints of Newark works as a strong stand alone film, but might fall short in the nostalgia department; Nadia Stoll and Corey Stoll pictured at the premiere
Legendary: Tony's uncle and the official boss of the DiMeo crime family will be making a return for the prequel with Corey Stoll (right) stepping into the role. He was originally played by Dominic Chianese (left)
Gandolfini tragically passed away at the age of 51 after suffering a heart attack in June 2013.
His now 22-year-old son Michael is stepping into his shoes to portray teenage Tony Soprano in the soon-to-be released The Many Saints of Newark, which will take a look at the mob boss' formative years.
In contrast to its description, critics have since indicated that The Many Saints of Newark works as a strong stand alone film, but might fall short in the nostalgia department.
THE SOPRANOS CAST: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
By CHRIS PLEASANCE FOR MAILONLINE
It was the series that remade TV - scooping dozens of awards and making stars out of its cast along the way.
The Sopranos first aired 22 years ago this January, before wrapping up 86 episodes and six seasons later, in 2007.
Now, as Michael Gandolfini - son of leading man James Gandolfini - prepares to play his father's character Tony Soprano in a prequel film, Mail Online examines what happened to the cast since the curtain dropped.
Iconic: The Sopranos first aired 22 years ago this January, before wrapping up 86 episodes and six seasons later, in 2007; the entire cast pictured in 1999
James Gandolfini - Tony Soprano
Playing an anxiety-prone mob boss juggling the demands of his figurative family - the Mafia - with his literal family was breakout star of the show, James Gandolfini.
Balancing the ruthlessness expected of a mob boss with a repressed emotional side and the tenderness requires of a family patriarch, Gandolfini's portrayal earned him three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe.
James Gandolfini (right in 2013) played leading many Tony Soprano
Sadly, the actor passed away in 2013 aged 51 while on holiday with his family in Rome from a heart attack.
He was found unconscious on his hotel floor by son Michael who alerted the emergency services, but was pronounced dead in hospital.
Michael, now aged 22, is currently portraying a young Tony Soprano in prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, due for release in 2021.
Michael Gandolfini, now aged 22, is currently portraying a young Tony Soprano in prequel film The Many Saints of Newark (left in 2019) due for release in 2021
Edie Falco - Carmela Soprano
Tony's trophy wife who decided to turn a blind eye to his many affairs and means of income and focus instead on the income itself.
Living a life of luxury did not solve all of Carmela's problems, however, as she struggled to raise her two children against a backdrop of immorality and violence.
Carmela Soprano, Tony's long-suffering wife, was played by Edie Falco who has appeared often on TV since (pictured left in character, right in 2020)
Falco, who won three Emmys, two Golden Globes and five Screen Actors Guild Awards as Carmela, went on to star as the eponymous hero in series Nurse Jackie.
She also worked alongside Louis C.K. in web series Horace and Pete, and as attorney Leslie Abramson in Law & Order True Crime.
In 2011 she also won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway revival of The House of Blue Leaves. Edie stayed in the HBO family as the title character in Nurse Jackie from 2009-2015.
She will portray Hillary Clinton in season three of Ryan Murphy's anthology series American Crime Story in September 2021 which follows President Bill Clinton's sex scandal and impeachment.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - Meadow Soprano
Growing up as the child of a notorious mobster comes with its challenges, especially for the principled Meadow - who struggles to reconcile how her father makes his money with the benefits it brings her.
Aged 17 when The Sopranos first aired, she carved out an acting career for herself in parallel with the TV series.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler was 17 when she was cast as Meadow Soprano (left), and has appeared in TV shows since, including HBO's Entourage (pictured right in January 2020)
She appeared in a Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast as Belle between 2002 and 2003, and played the titular character in Cinderella at Madison Square Garden in 2001.
Since the series wrapped she has made sporadic TV appearances, including as herself in two series of HBO's Entourage.
She has also featured in episodes of How I Met Your Mother and Ugly Betty, and appeared in the music video for The Lonely Island's song Jizz In My Pants.
Sigler dabbed in other fields - releasing an album in 2001 that flopped and she later said had embarrassed her - and modeled in FHM.
Robert Iler - AJ Soprano
The youngest child of Tony and Carmela, he starts the series as the innocent if badly-behaved tearaway of the family who fails to live up to his father's many expectations.
As the series goes on his innocence is shattered and he begins to exhibit all of Tony's negative traits, leading to a battle with depression.
Robert Iler was just 13 when he was selected to play Tony's son AJ (left) after working on commercials. He got into trouble with the law during filming, and has worked in TV seldom since (pictured right in January 2019)
Robert had featured in commercial for Pizza Hut and bit-parts on SNL before he was cast as AJ aged just 13.
He appeared sporadically in other TV roles while the show was on air - including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - and just one since, also in Law & Order.
In 2001, Robert was arrested for armed robbery of two Brazilian tourists in the Upper East Side and possession of marijuana and was given three years' probation. After suffering from substance abuse he became sober in 2013.
Lorraine Bracco - Jennifer Melfi
Tony's psychiatrist and outlet for his anxiety and deeply repressed emotions, Jennifer was both fascinated and repulsed by the mobster.
Advised by her colleagues, loved ones and her own better nature to part ways with Tony, she never-the-less commits to helping him through his troubles.
A star of Goodfellas, Bracco (right in 2019) agreed to work on The Sopranos only if she could play Tony's morally conflicted psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (left). She has continued to appear in films and TV since (pictured right this year), and did some voice acting in Bojack Horseman
Bracco was a former model, the wife of Harvey Kietel, and starred in mobster mega-hit Goodfellas alongside Robert de Niro before landing her Sopranos role.
While creator David Chase wanted her to play Carmela, Bracco said she would only sign on if she was allowed to take the role of Dr Melfi.
She appeared extensively in other shows and films during The Sopranos' run, including Riding In Cars With Boys and Law & Order: Trial by Jury.
Since the series wrapped, she has starred in TV movie Long Island Confidential, series I Married a Mobster and Blue Bloods, and as a voice actor in Bojack Horseman.
Most recently, Bracco purchased a 200-year-old home in Sambuca di Sicilia, Italy for just one euro which she went on to renovate for the HGTV series My Big Italian Adventure.
Michael Imperioli - Christopher Moltisanti
Tony's distantly-related cousin, fellow mobster, and chosen protege - Christopher is driven by a desire for success and notoriety that sees him at odds with Tony's 'strong, silent type' image and butting heads with his older 'colleagues'.
His character is also a drug addict who is frequently abusive to his partner, and is ultimately whacked.
Michael Imperioli was a veteran of Goodfellas before being cast as Christopher Moltisanti (left) in The Sopranos, and has continued his careers as an actor and screenwriter since (right in April 2019)
He scooped a Primetime Emmy for his portrayal in 2004.
An experienced actor before the series began - starring alongside Bracco in Goodfellas, along with appearances in Jungle Fever, Bad Boys and Malcolm X - he has appeared extensively in film and TV since.
Imperioli played Detective Ray Carling in the US adaptation of British cop show Life On Mars, and followed fellow Sopranos cast members into the Law & Order series, playing NYPD Detective Nick Falco.
He played Detective Louis Fitch in the ABC police drama Detroit 1-8-7 until it was cancelled, and in 2008 he achieved character Christopher's dream of writing a feature film, entitled The Hungry Ghosts.
Michael had stints on several series since The Sopranos like Californication, Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods.
Andrea Donna de Matteo - Adriana La Cerva
Christopher's girlfriend-turned-wife, she is vain, obsessed with money and material goods, and desperate for fame.
Often a victim of violence at Christopher's hand, she turns mole in the later series but refuses to give up the family's deepest secrets.
Shallow, materialistic, stupid and vain - Andrea Donna de Matteo (right in 2019) won a Primetime Emmy for her portrayal of Adriana la Cerva (left). She has continued acting since, and played Joey Tribbiani's sister on Friends spin-off series Joey
Matteo won a Primetime Emmy award for the role in 2004, alongside Imperioli.
She used her Sopranos fame to launch a silver screen career, including appearances in Swordfish, Assault on Precinct 13, Dark Places, and Sex, Death and Bowling.
Matteo has also appeared in numerous TV shows since The Sopranos ended, including as Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina in Friends spin-off Joey.
She also starred in Sons of Anarchy, Desperate Housewives, CSI: Miami, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Dominic Chianese - Corrado 'Junior' Soprano
Tony's petulant, resentful, power-hungry uncle who conspires with his mother early on to have him whacked so he can assume control of the family.
Out-played at the game of power by Tony he is ultimately left frail and confused after suffering from dementia.
A good friend of Al Pacino, Dominic Chianese (right in 2019) was an experienced film actor when he took the part of Corrado 'Junior' Soprano (left) in the series. He has continued acting since, including in Boardwalk Empire, and still finds work aged 90
Good friends with Al Pacino, Chianese was well-known before The Sopranos started having starred in The Godfather Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, ...And Justice For All, and Looking for Richard.
He continued to find work well into his 80s, including voice acting in Mr. Popper's Penguins as well as TV appearances in Boardwalk Empire and The Good Wife.
He appeared this year in new NBC drama The Village, about a Brooklyn apartment block and the people who live in it. The star celebrated his 90th birthday in February 2021.
Aida Turturro - Janice Soprano
Tony's older, new-agey sister who fled her family's troubles rather than stay and confront them, she returns to New Jersey and immerses herself in mob life.
Work-shy, manipulative and amoral, she has a love-hate relationship with Tony, born out of their shared childhood trauma.
Aida Turturro (right in 2017) appeared once as Tony's selfish, manipulative sister Janice (left) in the first series of The Sopranos but was then brought back for a permanent role. She has appeared in Blue Bloods and Law & Order since then, along with many of her former colleagues
Following the series finale in 2007, Turturro has appeared sporadically in film and TV, following many Sopranos alumni into roles in Blue Bloods and Law & Order.
In 2012 she was reunited with Edie Flaco in an episode of Nurse Jackie, while also appearing in ER, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Brooklyn Nine Nine.
Aida debuted a weight loss transformation in 2020 when she appeared much slimmed down in the Blacklist.
Tony Sirico - Paulie Gualtieri
One of Tony's right-hand men, Paulie is as vicious as he is paranoid, often carrying out hits on his boss's enemies and disloyal friends alike.
His loyalty to Tony - alongside his killing temperament - see him rise through the ranks to become underboss of the DiMeo crime family.
Sirico was born in Brooklyn and as a teenager he was part of a real-life street gang, and was once seen associating with Colombo family Caporegime Jimmy 'Green Eyes' Clemenza, along with fellow Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore.
A real-life gangster who spent parts of his youth in jail, Tony Sirico (right in 2019) agree to play paranoid mobster Paulie Gualtieri (left) on one condition - he never becomes a snitch
A real-life gangster who spent parts of his youth in jail, Tony Sirico (right in 2016) agree to play paranoid mobster Paulie Gualtieri (left) on one condition - he never becomes a snitch
He served time in jail for robbery and felony arms possession before deciding to give acting a try after being visited by a troupe of reformed convicts behind bars.
He initially tried out for the role of Junior was was persuaded into taking on Paulie on one condition - the character would never become a snitch.
Following The Sopranos he has made sporadic appearances in TV and films, including Family Guy, American Dad!, and Lilyhammer.
Steve Van Zandt - Silvio Dante
Silvio is the calm, collected, and ever-stylish owner of the gang's hangout spot and headquarters - a strip club called the Bada Bing!
Another of Tony's trusted advisers, he is often selected to carry out high-level assassinations, including on Christopher's girlfriend, Adriana.
Zandt was famous long before The Sopranos though for a profession other than acting. He was, and still is, a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band where he plays guitar and mandolin.
Bandanna-wearing Van Zandt (right in 2019) has since admitted that mobster Silvio's luscious locks (left) were a hairpiece. He has a successful career as a musician and in 2014 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the guitarist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Springsteen, he also founded his own band - Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul - in the 1980s.
Zandt continued to pursue acting after Sopranos, starring in and co-writing Netflix series Lilyhammer, which also starred Tony Sirico.
He also appeared in Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles in 2018.
Steve R Schirripa - Bobby Baccalieri
An unusual character within the mob world, Bobby Baccalieri was portrayed as lovable, kind-hearted, loyal to his wife, and caring of others.
A senior member of Junior's crew, he ends up caring for his former boss when he suffers from cancer, and marries Tony's sister Janice.
Bobby Baccalieri (left) played by Steve R Schirripa (right in 2019) was the rarest of things - a lovable mobster. He has continued to work in TV since the series, but has also written children's books and launched his own range of vegan pasta sauce
Schirripa has appeared regularly in both film and TV since his role as Baccalieri ended, including on series Blue Bloods.
He has also diversified away from acting and writes books playing on his mob persona, as well as children's stories.
Schirripa made a Nickelodeon film from his kid's book Nicky Deuce and in 2014 launched his own range of vegan pasta sauces.
Really Looking forward to this one...
by Dub.gal.16 113