Photo: Warner bros. productions/ youtube
Ray Liottais commenting on his choice not to be a part of HBO’s hit mob seriesThe Sopranos–– a franchise he will finally join in next month’sSopranosprequel filmThe Many Saints of Newark.
Liotta, 66, saysSopranoscreator David Chase “once talked” to him about playing the smaller role of Ralph Cifaretto –– not, as rumor had it, the starring role of Tony Soprano.
“No! I don’t know where that story came from,” Liotta toldThe Guardianabout the rumorhe was in line to play Tony. “David once talked to me about playing Ralphie. But never Tony.”
“I didn’t want to do another mafia thing, and I was shootingHannibal,” he told the outlet, referencing the 2001Silence of the Lambssequel he starred in. “It just didn’t feel right at the time.”
Liotta, who had made a name for himself thanks to hits likeGoodfellasin 1990 andField of Dreamsthe year before, was trying to reposition himself after other mob-related entries like James Mangold’sCop Landin 1997.
RELATED VIDEO: James Gandolfini’s Son, Michael, on Playing Young Tony Soprano and Developing His ‘Physicality’
TheUnlawful Entrystar also said he “didn’t know” why he never again got to work with Martin Scorsese, his director inGoodfellas, but would “love to” if the opportunity presented itself once more.
In spite of saying no toThe Sopranos20 years ago, Liotta is finally finding himself in that universe, thanks to a role in the upcoming Tony Soprano origin storyThe Many Saints of Newark.
In fact, the star aggressively pursued a role in the project this time around, even paying for his own flight to New York to talk with Chase about the role.
“I’m really not sure what made me so determined,” he reflected. “But I was and luckily it all worked out.”
Perhaps it’s becauseThe Many Saints of Newarkis set in the New Jersey city during the 1960s, which is exactly where and when Liotta himself was raised.
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Critics are raving about the prequel film, which sees the formation of late actorJames Gandolfini’s vicious Tony Soprano during his teenage years with the actor’s son,Michael, portraying a younger version of the character.
The Many Saints of Newarkpremieres October 1 in theaters and on HBO Max.
source: people.com
