Navigating the Characters in HBO's 'Many Saints of Newark' and Their Connection to 'The Sopranos' Series

As a long-time fan of The Sopranos, experiencing Many Saints of Newark was both exhilarating and frustrating. The film offers a deep dive into the origins of the Soprano family and their associates, all while maintaining connections to the original series. This guide will help you understand the characters in both the film and the TV series.

Connecting Characters from Many Saints of Newark to The Sopranos Series

HBO's prequel film Many Saints of Newark focuses on the early lives of the Soprano family and their associates. As a true fan, delving into the characters can enhance your viewing experience, providing a deeper connection to the series.

Tony Soprano

The main character, Tony Soprano, was played by James Gandolfini in the TV series, an actor tragically lost to us in 2013. In the film, Gandolfini's son, Michael Gandolfini, takes on the younger role. Although their features and look are very similar, Michael's voice is somewhat higher, adding to the evolution of Tony's character. William Ludwig, a young actor, portrays young Tony in the beginning of the film.

Tony's Uncle, Junior Soprano (Corrado Soprano Jr.)

In the original The Sopranos series, Corrado John 'Junior' Soprano Jr. was portrayed by Dominic Chianese. In the film, Corey Stoll takes on the role with remarkable success. Stoll's performance is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of the character.

livia Soprano

Nancy Marchand played Tony's mother, Livia, in the series. Vera Farmiga, who portrays Livia in the film, brings a new dimension to the character. Farmiga's performance reminds viewers of Tony's wife from the series, which leads to an interesting realization about Tony's relationship choices.

Other Notable Characters

Silvio Dante (Paulie Walnuts Gualtieri)

Steven Van Zandt played Silvio Dante in the series, adding a dynamic character to the mix. In the film, John Magaro takes on the younger version. However, his portrayal is less convincing compared to Magaro's depiction of Paulie Walnuts, which is more relatable. William Ludwig also plays the younger Paulie Walnuts.

Tony Sirico (Peter Paul 'Paulie Walnuts' Gualtieri)

John Magaro portrays Silvio in the film, while Billy Magnussen takes on the younger version of Paulie Walnuts. Magnussen's performance is stronger, bringing more believability to the character's evolution.

Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band guitar player Steven Van Zandt

Tony's childhood friend and later associate, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band guitar player Steven Van Zandt, played Silvio. In the film, John Magaro performs the role with some success, but his portrayal of Silvio is less convincing than his performance as Paulie Walnuts.

Paulie Walnuts (Peter Paul Gualtieri)

John Magaro plays Silvio in the series, while Billy Magnussen portrays the younger Paulie Walnuts. Magnussen's performance is much stronger, capturing the essence of the character better than Magaro's portrayal of Silvio.

Arthur ‘Artie’ Bucco Jr.

John Ventimiglia was Artie Bucco Jr. in the series while Robert Vincent Montano played him in the film. Montano does an excellent job with the role, though it is a minor one.

Carmela Soprano (Livia's Daughter)

Edie Falco played Tony's wife, Carmela. In the film, she appears in a couple of scenes, played by Lauren DiMario. However, her scenes are limited in the film, making her presence less impactful.

Conclusion

Exploring the characters in Many Saints of Newark helps fans of The Sopranos see the origins of their favorite characters and how they evolved. While the film is not perfect, knowing the connection between the characters and the original series enhances the viewing experience significantly.

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