In the year of our don 2019, HBO brings us good tidings of “Sopranos” reboot gossip.
As David Chase is busy at work on a prequel film to the legendary show, called “The Many Saints of Newark,” HBO president of programming Casey Bloys was asked if they might expand the production into a new series.
And he didn’t not say yes.
“I keep saying ‘Never say never,’ ” Chase tells Deadline. “There are no plans, there is no discussions about it, but [Michael]” — son of James Gandolfini — “is a really good actor. We had him on ‘The Deuce.’ There is nothing on the table at the moment, but I will stay open.”
The upcoming film, set to release in late 2020, tells the story of Richard “Dickie” Moltisanti, cousin to Carmella and father to Christopher, who never showed up in the series. Dickie’s murder, which occurred prior to the show’s timeline, impelled Tony to take Christopher, who was only a child at the time, under his wing.
Alessandro Nivola (“American Hustle”) will play Dickie, alongside Ray Liotta, Jon Bernthal and Vera Farmiga, as Tony’s cantankerous mother, Livia. Alan Taylor, who directed nine episodes of “The Sopranos,” will helm the production.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the premier of the seminal show, which revolutionized television and brought the dramatic depiction of Mafia culture into the 21st century. Over the course of six seasons, the show earned 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes.