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The Many Saints of Newark

Ray Liotta

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Ray Liotta plays two characters in the new Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark, an ironic double casting given that the actor passed on a role on the iconic HBO mob drama. In a new interview with USA Today, Liotta and Sopranos creator David Chase opened up about Liotta’s roles in the movie, and which Sopranos role he turned down back in 2000.

Contrary to Internet speculation, Chase didn’t meet with Liotta to discuss the role of Sopranos protagonist Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini). Instead, Liotta was considered for the role of DiMeo crime family soldier Ralph “Ralphie” Cifaretto, which ultimately went to actor Joe Pantoliano (who won a best supporting Emmy actor for the part).

Liotta explained that his previous role as a mobster in Martin Scorsese’s iconic 1990 film Goodfellas influenced his decision to pass on The Sopranos.

“It just didn’t feel right. Having done Goodfellas, I needed something different,” Liotta said. “I had some other things I was thinking of doing [at the time]. You never know if you’re going to get something or not.”

However, when the opportunity to join The Many Saints of Newark came around, Liotta had a change of heart. In the film, the actor plays original Sopranos character Christopher Moltisanti’s (Michael Imperioli) grandfather, “Hollywood Dick” Moltisanti, as well as “Hollywood Dick’s” incarcerated brother, Sal “Sally” Moltisanti.

After reading the script for The Many Saints of Newark, Liotta reached out to Chase personally after he didn’t receive a call.

“I said to my agent, ‘What’s going on with that? They don’t need me or want me for this?'” the actor recalled. “I said, ‘Let me talk to [Chase]. I’ll fly out to New York and just have lunch with him.'”

By the end of their lunch, Liotta had secured his place in the Sopranos universe.

The Many Saints of Newark is now playing in theaters, and available to stream on HBO Max until November 1.

Where to watch The Many Saints of Newark