Ray Liotta is returning to his mob roots. It has been announced that the actor has been cast in The Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark. He joins Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, Corey Stoll, and Michael Gandolfini, latter of whom will play the Tony Soprano role originated by his late father James Gandolfini.
Directed by Alan Taylor and scripted by Sopranos creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner, the prequel is set in the era of the Newark riots in the ’60s when African Americans and Italian Americans in the city were at each other’s throats. That clash became lethal when it spread to the gangsters of each group.
Ray Liotta is forever part of movie mobster history thanks to his role as Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. Another fun fact is that the actor grew up in Newark in the ’60s, and has a personal connection to the story.
Liotta had this to say about joining the project:
“I am thrilled to be working with David Chase and Alan Taylor on The Many Saints of Newark. David’s talent is unmatched and the directing of Alan Taylor makes this even more exciting. I respect them both immensely and look forward to making this special project with New Line.”
Ray Liotta’s casting continues the tradition of Goodfellas cast members who appeared in the series — 27 in total including stars Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Frank Vincent and Tony Sirico among them.
