The Many Saints of Newark
A prequel to The Sopranos set during the 1967 Newark riots.
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The Many Saints of Newark (also promoted with the subtitle A Sopranos Story) is a 2021 American crime drama that acts as a prequel to David Chase’s HBO series The Sopranos. Alan Taylor directed the film, with a script by Chase and Lawrence Konner. The story takes place in Newark, New Jersey, and centers on a brutal gang war seen through the eyes of mobster Dickie Moltisanti and his teenage nephew, Tony Soprano, unfolding during the city’s 1967 riots. Alessandro Nivola plays Dickie, while Michael Gandolfini portrays Tony—the same role his father played in the series. The supporting cast includes Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, Michela De Rossi, John Magaro, Ray Liotta, and Vera Farmiga. This was Liotta’s final film released before his death in 2022.
Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema secured the rights to produce the film alongside HBO Films. It premiered at the Tribeca Fall Preview on September 22, 2021, and hit theaters in the United States on October 1, also streaming simultaneously on HBO Max for a month. Critics gave the film generally positive reviews, praising the performances of Gandolfini and Nivola, though some found the script lacking. The movie was a box-office bomb, earning $13 million against a $50 million budget, but its streaming release on HBO Max was a success and boosted viewership for The Sopranos.
- Release year
- 2021
- Director
- Alan Taylor
- Writers
- David Chase and Lawrence Konner
- Genre
- Crime drama
- Budget
- $50 million
- Box office
- $13 million
- Notable cast
- Alessandro Nivola, Michael Gandolfini, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, Michela De Rossi, John Magaro, Ray Liotta, Vera Farmiga
Lore & Background
The film's origins trace to David Chase's idea after film school about four white men in Newark who joined the National Guard to avoid the Vietnam War but were sent to the 1967 riots. After The Sopranos ended, Oz creator Tom Fontana suggested a film about Tony's father set in the 1930s or 1940s, but Chase lacked interest. In June 2017, Chase ruled out continuing the series but expressed interest in a prequel, later becoming intrigued by the 1967 Newark riots and his family ties to the city. He wanted to explore Tony's boyhood, which the show had glorified. The main storyline centers on racial tensions between Italian-American and African-American communities. Chase's biggest challenge was including many storylines; some were dropped during editing. New Line Cinema announced in March 2018 that it purchased rights with HBO Films, with Chase co-writing with Lawrence Konner. Alan Taylor, who directed Sopranos episodes, was hired in July 2018 after Chase offered him the role during lunch.
Reader's Guide
The Many Saints of Newark serves as a prequel to The Sopranos, exploring the formative years of Tony Soprano and the violent gang war in 1967 Newark. The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for Michael Gandolfini's and Alessandro Nivola's performances, though some criticized the script. Its theatrical release was a box-office bomb, grossing $13 million against a $50 million budget, but its simultaneous release on HBO Max was a success, contributing to a spike in viewership for The Sopranos. The film was Ray Liotta's final release performance before his death in 2022. By delving into the racial tensions and mob dynamics of the era, the film expands the Soprano universe, offering context for characters and events referenced in the series. Its legacy lies in bridging the gap between the show's past and present, while highlighting the creative vision of David Chase and the enduring appeal of the franchise.
Did You Know?
- Michael Gandolfini played the role of Tony Soprano, a character played by his father James Gandolfini in the series.
- The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Fall Preview on September 22, 2021.
- The film's simultaneous release on HBO Max was a success and contributed to a spike in viewership for The Sopranos.
More in Characters & Personalities
Elsewhere in The Sopranos
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