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Starring James Gandolfini,The Sopranoshas been one of the most iconic TV series. Following the life of an Italian-American mafia boss balancing his criminal empire and family struggles, the show captivated millions and became a cultural phenomenon.
In a memorable instance, the show’s popularity became so overwhelming that an open casting call drew a massive 13,000 people, forcing the police to intervene due to the sheer size of the crowd.
David Chase Recalled the Overwhelming Response toThe SopranosOpen Casting Call
AsThe Sopranoscelebrates its 25th anniversary marks its 25th anniversary,David Chasehas shared new insights into the show’s creation inWise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos, revealing intriguing stories about the show and its impact.
The show’s creator reflected on one such incident in his interview withEmpirewhile discussing the show’s influence on the Italian-American community, who often felt mispresented or caricatured.
Reflecting on how deeply the show resonated with them, Chase recounted a how an open casting call in Harrison, New Jersey attracted 13,000 Italian-Americans. He explained, as perSlash Film,
We once had an open call for actors in Harrison, New Jersey, and 13,000 people showed up. The police had to shut it down. The exit on the turnpike was completely screwed up. And they were all Italian. All 13,000.
The chaotic open casting call was also reported byEntertainment Weeklyat the time, claiming that the casting attracted over 15,000 hopefuls. The event was reportedly organized to find Italian-American-looking extras for the show.
“I threw Kate’s wig in front of the camera”: James Gandolfini’s S*x Scene With Kate Winslet in $3M Movie Was a Brilliant Display of Old School Camera Work, It Never Happened
Casting directors managed to see 5,000 aspiring actors and collected additional 7,000 headshots. Various aspiring actors shared their enthusiasm and personal stories, hoping for an opportunity to shine their star. However, the event was cut short due to the overwhelming turnout.
David Chase Reflects on James Gandolfini’s Unique Talent andThe SopranosLegacy
In a recent interview withCBS, the creator of the hit HBO dramaThe Sopranos, David Chase, shared an insight into the lateJames Gandolfini’sremarkable talent, who portrayed the complex protagonist, Tony Soprano.
“He’s incredible,”Chase said, praising Gandolfini’s exceptional acting ability. Further emphasizing his physical presence, the showrunner said,
Well, the whole thing’s about his face and about his eyes, actually. There’s something about his eyes that – it was otherworldly.
Further into his conversation, Chase also admitted that he initially struggled to categorize the series due to its blend of dark humor and drama. “I’ve never been able to figure out whether it’s a comedy,”Chase said before adding“I guess it’s like life. I don’t know, I hope.
“I picked him out a long time ago”: ‘The Sopranos’ Star Lorraine Bracco Spotted James Gandolfini’s Genius Years Before Their Chemistry Gave Us an Adrenaline Rush
Gandolfini, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013 at the age of 51 from a heart attack, left an indelible mark on the series, which continues to be celebrated for its complex storytelling and memorable performances.
The Sopranosis available to watch on Max.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3449
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
