quote:

The Sopranos” is getting the big-screen treatment.

New Line is developing a movie prequel, currently titled “The Many Saints of Newark,” penned by David Chase. Chase, who created the hit HBO series, wrote the screenplay with fellow “Sopranos” scribe Lawrence Konner.

Some fan-favorite characters from “The Sopranos” are expected to appear in the film — set in the era of the Newark riots in the 60s, when African-Americans and Italians were adversaries. Rivalries turned deadly once gangsters from each side got involved.

James Gandolfini, the star of the series, died in 2013. Frank Vincent, who had a recurring role, died last year. Edie Falco, Steven Van Zandt, Jamie‑Lynn Sigler, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Steve Schirripa, and Tony Sirico also toplined the show.

Chase first sparked speculation about a prequel last year when he told Entertainment Weekly that he “could conceive of maybe a prequel.” “I could never see [a return of the show] except as a prequel,” he told the magazine.

Considered one of the most groundbreaking television series of all time, the show ran for six seasons on HBO from 1999 to 2007. Its numerous accolades include 21 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globes.

Chase will serve as producer and co-writer on the film. Nicole Lambert will be an executive producer.

Chase’s last feature film was the 2012 drama “Not Fade Away,” starring Gandolfini.

“David is a masterful storyteller and we, along with our colleagues at HBO, are thrilled that he has decided to revisit, and enlarge, the ‘Soprano’ universe in a feature film,” Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich said.

Chase is repped by Peter Benedek and Andrew Cannava of UTA, and Michael Gendler of Gendler and Kelly. Konner is repped by UTA.

Deadline first reported the news.