James Gandolfini’s The Sopranos is often regarded as among the best TV shows ever made. The show chronicling the life and criminal career of Tony Soprano enthralled fans with its first few seasons. For six seasons, they were stuck to their TV every week waiting for new episodes to air. Gandolfini’s influential career-defining performance as Tony Soprano won him multiple Emmys.
Despite the high reputation of the series, the series finale that featured the infamous cut-to-black sequence at the end divided fans. Additionally, Edie Falco who played Carmela Soprano teased that she and Gandolfini shot a Soprano-themed ad to help lure LeBron James to join the New York Knicks. The long-rumored footage has now made its way online and it is interesting, to say the least.
James Gandolfini Returns as Tony Soprano In New Footage With an Interesting Twist
David Chase’s epic crime drama series The Sopranos led by James Gandolfini ended in 2007 after six brilliant seasons consisting of 86 episodes. While audiences lauded the complex portrayal of Tony Soprano’s dual life as a family man and a mobster, the series finale drew significant criticism due to its ambiguity.
The infamous final episode saw the abrupt cut-to-black moment as Tony looks up to Jamie-Lynn Sigler‘s Meadow arriving at the Holsten’s diner. Audiences did not know what to make of it and assumed that Tony died at the end, which was confirmed by Chase in 2021. Further on, Edie Falco made some comments in 2021 (an Atlantic podcast) regarding a short Soprano-themed video that she shot with Gandolfini in 2010.
The purpose of the video was an effort made by the New York Knicks to help persuade LeBron James to join them after his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers had expired. No one had access to or information about this said video, until now. Former ESPN host Pablo Torre managed to find the footage and aired it in the latest episode of his Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.
As per the Sopranos-themed ad video, Gandolfini and Falco return as Tony and Carmela Soprano two years after the end of the show. The advertisement acts like an alternate ending to the series as Tony is alive and the couple “are in the witness protection program”. The pair discuss the perfect home for James in New York (as New York Knicks want him in).
The new clip will be a delight for fans who were left unsatisfied with the ending of the show. While the advertisement is not canon to the show and does not change Tony’s Fate, it is yet bittersweet to see the late Gandolfini in a never-before-seen video playing his most iconic role.
Michael Gandolfini Had To Let Go Of The Pressures of Playing Tony Soprano
Years after The Sopranos ended, David Chase returned with a prequel film The Many Saints of Newark. The film featured a young Tony Soprano played by James Gandolfini‘s son Michael Gandolfini. Playing a character that has become an iconic figure in pop culture played by his father and doing it justice was something that Michael was ready for.
In a conversation with Jonah Hill for Interview Magazine, Gandolfini stated whenever he watches The Sopranos, he loves it as it feels similar to spending time with his later father. Despite his great admiration for the show and his father’s performance, he had to start looking a it from a view that would benefit him as an actor rather than burdening himself with the pressure of playing a younger version of his father’s character. He said,
“For me, the emotional part was watching the show for the first time and being so proud of my dad and so shocked at how good the show was. Even when I watch it now, it feels like spending time with my dad. I had to let go of, “How am I going to make my dad proud?” and, “How am I going to play my dad?” and focus on, “How am I going to look at this as an actor?” and, “How am I going to be a professional on set?” Those are much more tangible goals.”
Along with Gandolfini, The Many Saints of Newark also starred Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, Michela De Rossi, John Magaro, Ray Liotta, and Vera Farmiga. While the film received positive reviews, it bombed at the box office. Later on, it found great success when it started streaming on Max (via Variety).
Fans can watch both The Sopranos and The Many Saints of Newark on Max.
