David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, signed a massive, five-year deal with WarnerMedia to create content for HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, there is no statement from WarnerMedia or Chase about what the content will entail, though the announcement of the deal coincides with the release of Chase's The Many Saints of Newark, the Sopranos prequel movie that premiered in theaters and on HBO Max Oct. 1. Whether Chase will create more Sopranos content for the network remains unclear, but when asked about it in previous interviews, both Chase and Many Saints director Alan Taylor have answered, "maybe."
"David Chase is one of the most gifted storytellers working in the film and television industry," said HBO and HBO Max's chief content officer, Casey Bloys. "HBO has had a long and celebrated creative partnership with David, and this deal affords us a wonderful opportunity to continue this relationship at HBO and HBO Max."
Toby Emmerich, the chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, added, "David has a singular voice and is a gifted writer and filmmaker. His work is pure and authentic, and highly compelling for a broad audience. The critical reception of The Many Saints of Newark speaks to David's mastery of both film and television. We are thrilled to keep David in the Warner Bros. family."
Created by Chase, The Sopranos premiered in 1999 and ran for six seasons before its series finale in 2007. Chase's most recent project, The Many Saints of Newark, on which he served as an executive producer, follows a young Tony Soprano as he begins his descent into the New Jersey mob scene. The prequel film takes place in the 1960s and '70s and deals heavily with the 1967 race riots that drove a wedge between the Black and Italian American communities. The film stars Michael Gandolfini, son of The Sopranos star James Gandolfini, who portrayed the adult Tony Soprano for all six seasons of the iconic HBO series.
Originally scheduled for a 2020 release, The Many Saints of Newark was delayed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and received a hybrid release in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service.
Directed by Alan Taylor, The Many Saints of Newark stars Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen, Michela De Rossi, John Magaro, Vera Farmiga, Ray Liotta and Corey Stoll. The film arrives in theaters and on HBO Max Oct. 1.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter