[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers from WISE GUY: David Chase and The Sopranos.]
The Sopranos celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary in 2024, and within the spirit of that, HBO has launched the two-part documentary Clever Man: David Chase and the Sopranos.
The must-see TV occasion options never-before-seen archival footage and commentary from the solid and creatives with a specific give attention to creator David Chase. Whereas tuning in is extremely advisable, we’re breaking down a number of the greatest reveals from the two-parter, so watch out for spoilers forward.
1. Christopher was nearly Dean.
As star Michael Imperioli recalled his audition course of, he famous within the documentary that Christopher’s identify was initially Dean Moltisanti, a far cry from the moniker followers got here to know over the seasons.
2. Final however not least… Carmela.
HBO
When it got here to casting main roles, Carmela Soprano was the final one to be crammed, and star Edie Falco wasn’t even certain she’d land the gig in comparison with different actresses who had been attempting out for the function. Finally, she was chosen, and the remainder was historical past.
3. Normal Hospital‘s Don auditioned for Tony.
Maurice Benard has been taking part in gangster Sonny Corinthos on ABC‘s cleaning soap Normal Hospital for years, however in line with archival audition footage, the actor threw his hat within the ring for The Sopranos‘ lead function. In a montage of Tony audition tapes, Benard was among the many varied actors who tried to land the gig that ultimately went to James Gandolfini.
4. Steven Van Zandt’s musical background price him the lead.
Steven Van Zandt who’s greatest recognized for enjoying Tony’s second, Silvio Dante, alongside together with his gig as an E Road Band member alongside Bruce Springsteen, was among the many authentic stars thought-about for the lead function, however HBO wouldn’t spend money on somebody who had by no means acted earlier than. For that purpose, Van Zandt misplaced out on the function of Tony, however Chase preferred his audition a lot he created the function of Silvio for him.
5. HBO nearly misplaced religion in Tony’s school go to killing.
© HBO/ Courtesy: Everett Assortment
As followers will recall in Season 1’s seminal episode, “Faculty,” Tony brings his daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) on a highway journey to go to potential schools. Whereas on the highway, Tony encounters a person from his previous who he is aware of turned on his crew and entered witness safety as a method of escaping potential hurt. Decided to ship the punishment he believes this man deserves, Tony takes it upon himself to kill the person, choking him to dying. The killing was so brutal and alarming that HBO was involved viewers would activate the present, and that led Chase so as to add a sequence by which the sufferer nearly shoots Tony below the quilt of darkness. One other attention-grabbing reality about this episode is that Gandolfini truly reduce his fingers performing the killing scene.
6. Tony Sirico didn’t fiddle with Paulie Walnuts’ hair.
In response to the creatives within the documentary, Tony Sirico did his personal hair for the present, coiffing it completely for his scenes because the comedic Paulie Walnuts. He additionally didn’t do make-up, however would typically tan, utilizing a reflective trifold like his character would onscreen. The one time Sirico reluctantly allowed his hair to be tousled onscreen was within the fan-favorite episode “Pine Barrens,” which was required as an example the unraveling journey Paulie and Christopher take within the memorable installment.
7. Michael Imperioli turned a author for a love of the present.
Imperioli mentioned the inspiration behind his transition from simply performing to performing and writing on the present, noting that he didn’t get into it for his personal profit. As a substitute, Imperioli was extra thinking about developing with good storylines for different characters outdoors of Christopher as he famous his personal love of the present and the world these characters inhabited.
8. Livia lived due to Nancy Marchand’s request.
Anthony Neste /©HBO/Courtesy Everett Assortment
In response to Chase, Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand) was meant to die on the finish of Season 1 with Tony suffocating his mom to dying with a pillow in her nursing house. This occurred within the present’s authentic script in addition to within the characteristic script Chase had written earlier than The Sopranos turned a sequence. But it surely was Marchand’s request to maintain working that led to Chase altering it. The performer was sick with lung most cancers and requested Chase to permit her to maintain working so long as she was capable of. Finally, Marchand appeared for 2 full seasons and was killed off in Season 3 the place visible results had been used to create her ultimate posthumous scene with Gandolfini.
9. Lorraine Bracco yelled at David Chase over Melfi’s rape.
Lorraine Bracco remembered being actually offended about Chase’s choice to have her character Dr. Melfi get raped within the Season 3 episode, “Worker of the Month,” recalling that she known as the creator as much as yell at him, asking how he might deal with her character that method. Realizing Bracco hadn’t learn the complete script, she was instructed to complete studying and finally understood the reasoning behind the rape’s inclusion. Within the episode, Melfi should resolve if she’ll inform her affected person Tony concerning the assault and process him with harming the assailant. In the long run, she doesn’t, and “Worker of the Month” stays a memorable installment from the sequence for that purpose. Falco notes within the documentary that the assault sequence is much more impactful with no set off warning.
10. James Gandolfini was beneficiant (or careless) together with his cash.
After a contract negotiation left James Gandolfini incomes $1 million per episode, he gifted fellow castmates $30,000 checks out of his personal pocket. Falco famous that she was not among the many solid members to obtain a test, however famous her onscreen husband was very beneficiant and believed this occurred. In the meantime, Drea de Matteo confirmed this story within the documentary. When it got here to cash, Gandolfini was keen to take hits, because it was revealed he’d get docked as much as $100,000 a day if he was a no-show on set, one thing that occurred usually, in line with the workforce.
11. Adriana had two endings, and the actress didn’t know which was actual.
HBO
In response to de Matteo, two completely different variations of Adriana’s ending had been filmed as Chase wouldn’t inform her what was going to occur to her character. One model noticed Adriana escape Silvio and the opposite, which made the ultimate reduce, noticed Adriana crawling away from the mobster as he shot her offscreen. The choice to not present Adriana’s killing onscreen was private for Chase who couldn’t cope with the concept of seeing it play out. Two variations had been filmed due to confidentiality issues with spoilers and leaks.
12. Even James Gandolfini didn’t know the way the present ended.
In a remark from Bracco, she revealed that Gandolfini watched the finale episode along with her, and even he wasn’t conscious the sequence ended the way in which it did. As followers will bear in mind, Tony sits down in a diner together with his spouse and son as their Meadow parks her automotive to fulfill them. However some shady characters enter the house earlier than she does, main many to marvel if the mob boss would get blown away or not, with an abrupt reduce to the credit. Finally it’s as much as every particular person viewer, however even Gandolfini was seemingly shocked by Tony’s ending.
13. Chase’s had an emotional farewell for Gandolfini.
When James Gandolfini died in 2013 on the age of 51 from a coronary heart assault, Chase delivered a eulogy on the funeral, which had been personal, till now. Whereas transcripts of Chase’s eulogy had been printed on the time, this documentary options precise footage of his emotional tribute to Gandolfini who he refers to as a “brother” all through. It’s a second that may depart no dry eyes amongst viewers at house.
Watch the complete two-part documentary for much more attention-grabbing tidbits from behind the scenes, and catch The Sopranos anytime on Max.
Clever Man: David Chase and The Sopranos, streaming now, Max
