Latest news with #Irish-looking
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Sopranos' Creator David Chase Worried James Gandolfini Wasn't 'Threatening Enough' to Play Tony Soprano
David Chase wasn't initially sold on James Gandolfini playing Tony Soprano in The Sopranos because he thought he wasn't 'threatening enough.' In an excerpt from Jason Bailey's new book Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, Bailey recounted the casting process for the coveted part. After reading the script for the HBO pilot, Nancy Sanders, one of his Gandolfini's managers, knew he was perfect for the role. More from The Hollywood Reporter Bill Maher Defends Trump White House Visit, Slams "Nazi" Comparisons Pedro Pascal Calls J.K. Rowling a "Heinous Loser" for Latest Trans Comments The 'Pee-wee as Himself' Trailer Is a Party, and You're Invited 'I went, 'Oh my God, I think I have Tony Soprano,'' she remembered in the excerpt published by Vulture. While the show's creator thought Gandolfini was 'brilliant,' he told Sanders he had one doubt in casting him for the part: 'I have one concern, and that is, is he threatening enough?' The manager was taken aback by his concern and assured him that Gandolfini was surely 'threatening enough' to play the mafia mobster. 'David, if your only concern is is he threatening enough,' she began. 'If you said to me, 'He's a little chubby,' or 'He's losing his hair,' I could understand. But he's threatening enough. This is your guy.' The Hollywood Reporter reached out to reps for Chase and HBO for comment. However, Gandolfini also wasn't sure he would land the role and thought that Chase was 'going to be a pain in the ass' to work with. 'I think my exact words were, 'I could kick this guy right in the ass, but I'll never get cast,'' he recalled via the novel's excerpt. ''They'll hire some fucking pretty boy.' I thought they'd hire, you know, one of these Irish-looking guys who are all over TV now.' Chase knew Gandolfini was the perfect choice 'when he finally settled down and really did a reading, it was just obvious.' Chase recalled, 'There was just not any question about it. He was the guy.' Still, they continued to cycle through actors to ensure they had the right Tony Soprano picked out. Ultimately, three people were up for the role — Gandolfini, The Alto Knights star Mike Rispoli and Steven Van Zandt, who later took on the part of Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Sopranos' Creator David Chase Worried James Gandolfini ‘Wasn't Threatening Enough' Before Casting Him in Iconic Lead Role: ‘I Have One Concern'
If things had gone differently, it could've been someone else leading the cast of 'The Sopranos.' But luckily, series creator David Chase didn't stick with his hasty first reaction to James Gandolfini. In an excerpt from Jason Bailey's book 'Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend' (via Vulture), Chase worried that Gandolfini wasn't 'threatening enough,' before ultimately casting him in the career-defining role. More from Variety 'Industry' Producer Jane Tranter on How Late James Gandolfini Friendship Changed Her Career: 'First Time I Had Someone Who Was on My Side' 'Sopranos' Star Drea de Matteo on Joining OnlyFans, Coming Out as a MAGA Supporter and Why She Believes 'Half of Hollywood Is Voting for Trump' 'Sopranos' Star Lorraine Bracco Thought Divisive Ending Was 'Bad and Wrong': 'How Do You Invest 5 Years Into Someone's Life and Just Walk Away?' During the show's development, Gandolfini's manager, Nancy Sanders, told Chase, 'I think I have Tony Soprano.' Chase wasn't immediately convinced. Sanders stood up for her client, quickly quieting Chase's concerns, 'If you said to me, 'He's a little chubby,' or 'He's losing his hair,' I could understand. But he's threatening enough. This is your guy.' 'The Sopranos' casting directors, Sheila Jaffe and Georgianne Walken, echoed Sanders' enthusiasm. They remembered that Gandolfini 'was really our favorite idea from the beginning.' Gandolfini himself wasn't confident that he would land the role of Tony Soprano. He recalled in the excerpt, 'I think my exact words were, 'I could kick this guy right in the ass, but I'll never get cast. They'll hire some fucking pretty boy.' I thought they'd hire, you know, one of these Irish-looking guys who are all over TV now.' He also worried that Chase would be 'a pain in the ass' to work with. However, after the pair met for breakfast, all concerns melted away. 'When he finally settled down and really did a reading, it was just obvious,' Chase said. 'The Sopranos' is currently streaming on Max. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
