Want to be a part of “The Many Saints of Newark,” the highly anticipated “Sopranos” prequel movie?
(We know a fair few of you do, judging by the emails we’ve received.)
The filmmakers are looking for women, men and children of all ages to appear in a scene set in 1967, the year of the Newark riots.
“The Many Saints of Newark” is set to film in Newark from May 6 to 8 at Branford Place between Washington and Broad streets.
The Newark Office of Film and Television tells NJ Advance Media that anyone who wants to be an extra in the film can show up at a casting call that runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Express Newark, located on the second floor of 54 Halsey St. in Newark (see below for a flyer).
Michael Gandolfini, 19, son of “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, plays Young Tony Soprano in the film.
“Sopranos” creator David Chase wrote the script for the film with Lawrence Konner. Fellow “Sopranos” veteran Alan Taylor (“Game of Thrones”) is directing the film for New Line. The movie is due out Sept. 25, 2020.
Alessandro Nivola plays Dickie Moltisanti, father of Christopher Moltisanti and a mentor to Young Tony. Italian actress and Hollywood newcomer Michela De Rossi will reportedly play an Italian immigrant living in Newark.
New Jersey natives Ray Liotta and Vera Farmiga will play unknown roles in the movie, as will the Tony-winning “Hamilton” actor Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal (“The Punisher”), John Magaro, who starred in Chase’s 2012 film “Not Fade Away,” Billy Magnussen (“Aladdin”) and Corey Stoll (“First Man”).
If the movie stays true to the timeline established in the HBO series, Tony Soprano would have been 7 years old in July 1967, so Michael Gandolfini is playing an older version of Tony, which means the film will have to include the 1970s.
Actors set to appear in "The Many Saints of Newark" include, from top left, New Jersey natives Ray Liotta and Vera Farmiga; "Hamilton" star Leslie Odom Jr.; Alessandro Nivola; Michael Gandolfini, son of James Gandolfini; Billy Magnussen; Jon Bernthal; John Magaro and Corey Stoll.Dimitrios Kambouris | Getty Images; Roy Rochlin | Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez | Getty Images; Theo Wargo | Getty Images; Dominic Bindl | Getty Images; Steven Ferdman | Getty Images; Bennett Raglin | Getty Images; Frazer Harrison | Getty Images
An early look at Gandolfini’s Young Tony, thanks to photos taken of the film set earlier this month in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, lends support to this timeline. The teen actor wore long hair, flared jeans and a jean jacket with a striped shirt and a gold necklace. Chase was also seen at the site, as was Bernthal, 42, wearing a leather jacket as he stood next to a vintage car.
The “Sopranos" film isn’t the only production to call Newark home in recent weeks and months.
From April 15 to 17, HBO limited series “The Plot Against America,” based on Philip Roth’s 2004 novel, filmed on Commerce Street and the National Newark Building in Newark. Store facades were transformed to look like they were straight out of the 1940s, while period-appropriate cars lined the street. The series also filmed at Temple Beth-El on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.
Last fall, the upcoming “Joker” film starring Joaquin Phoenix brought the 1980s to Market Street in Newark and to Newark Avenue and the Brennan courthouse in Jersey City.
New Jersey film officials have attributed the recent boom in high-profile productions choosing the state to film to the return of the state’s film tax credit program.
See the official casting call announcement for “The Many Saints of Newark” below.
"The Many Saints of Newark" is looking to cast men, women and children to appear in a scene set in 1967.Newark Office of Film and Television
Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.