When Michael Gandolfini stepped into the role of young Tony Soprano in “The Many Saints of Newark,” fans likely noticed some key difference in the character previously portrayed by his late father James Gandolfini.
The film is a prequel to the hit mob drama, “The Sopranos,” which ran on HBO from 1999-2007.
When speaking with Fox News, the 22-year-old actor explained that he tried to keep the same “physicality” as his father when it came to the iconic character, including holding his shoulders in the same manner.
"I really learned how to use my eyes in a way that he had his head down," he explained.
However, he explained that he tried to change things up emotionally as the prequel takes place decades prior to the timeline of the series.
"I knew that if I embraced his physicality, the audience would really see a lot of Tony," he said, adding, "Then I would have much more room emotionally to completely be different from him."
In a previous interview, the lookalike actor explained other key differences.
"My dad’s character had all this beautiful sensitivity underneath this aggression. This version of him is the reverse,” he said.
Related
He added: "His curiosity and sensitivity comes first. He’s not a gun-wielding gangster. He’s a kid who gets whittled down and pulled in."
In an interview with The New York Times earlier this week, Michael said that being James’s son didn’t make stepping into the coveted role any easier.
“Maybe I could know how to play my dad,” he explained, adding, “But I don’t know how to play Tony. I have to create my own Tony from my life and still play the things that made him Tony.”
Related
He continued: “The pressure is real…There’s fear. But the second layer, that a lot of people don’t think about, which was actually harder, is to play Tony Soprano…not only was it the feeling of my dad — it was like, Tony Soprano is a [expletive] hard character.”
Michael noted that he was in awe of his father after taking on the role.
“The only insight that I think I gained was deep pride in him. I’m exhausted after three months — you did that for nine years?” he said.
The film is an origin story of the “Sopranos” patriarch as he grew up in a tumultuous era in Newark, N.J., history. Throughout the film, fans will see the young star getting pulled into the mafia life as he rises up and challenges the then-dominant DiMeo crime family.
“The Many Saints of Newark” is now playing in theaters and is also available to stream on HBO Max.
Lights, camera, action! Get the latest updates on movies and television from The Reel Buzz on Audacy.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign up and follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram