In some cases, when actors deliver an iconic performance in a certain role, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the part. James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is no different. Often considered one of the best TV shows of all time, The Sopranos still remains the best gangster drama to be put on the small screen, and a major reason behind it was the late actor’s performance.
Sylvester Stallone shared a similar viewpoint when reflecting on the show and had no hesitation taking shots at Gandolfini’s son, who played a young Tony Soprano in the 2021 prequel.
Sylvester Stallone Wasn’t a Fan of James Gandolfini’s Son Playing Tony Soprano
Fifteen years after The Sopranos concluded, Sylvester Stallone got the opportunity to star in his own gangster show, Tulsa King, which was a dream come true for the Rocky Star. Considering the actor has always been fond of the genre, prior to the premiere of the Taylor Sheridan show back in 2022, Stallone detailed his love for the universally acclaimed The Sopranos.
The Oscar-nominated star stressed that James Gandolfini was born to play the Italian-American mafia, stating “I will never buy another actor in that role”. Stallone echoed a similar response when asked about The Sopranos star’s son Michael Gandolfini, who played a younger Tony Soprano in the prequel The Many Saints of Newark, stressing “It’s just not going to work”.
He explained:
Sopranos is the perfect [instance of] man meeting material. James Gandolfini was born to play that. It was flawless. No one in the world could do it better. Every now and then you see that. You go, ‘I will never buy another actor in that role.’… His son? It’s just not going to work
Even though Michael Gandolfini surpassed fans’ expectations with his take on the character, it’s safe to say Stallone is right when he said no one can do it better than the late James Gandolfini.
Sylvester Stallone Always Wanted To Play a Gangster Onscreen
Before getting his big break in 1976 with Rocky, Sylvester Stallone auditioned for the roles of Paulie Gatto and Carlo Rizzi in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. But while missing out on them didn’t hinder his career in the long run, as he found his footing in the realm of action, the actor never stopped fantasizing about starring in a gangster drama.
Decades later, his dream finally came true after Taylor Sheridan cast him to star in Tulsa King, and Stallone couldn’t have been more joyful about the situation.
He shared (via Variety):
This is a fantasy role. I’ve always wanted to play a gangster. Not a cowboy, not an Indian, [but] a gangster. Don’t ask me why, but there’s a romanticism about these kinds of characters.
Following his fondness for the genre it didn’t take a lot of convincing to get him on board, as Stallone recalled, once they pitched “Gangster Goes West”, he was immediately in.
The Sopranos is available to stream on Max.
Tulsa King is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
