Film News

Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr. Joins Cast of Sopranos Prequel

The Tony winner will play an unspecified leading role in the upcoming film ”The Many Saints of Newark”.

Leslie Odom Jr. has joined the cast of The Many Saints of Newark.
Leslie Odom Jr. has joined the cast of The Many Saints of Newark.
(© David Gordon)

Hamilton Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. has joined the cast of the upcoming Sopranos film prequel, The Many Saints of Newark. The news was first reported by Deadline.

Odom Jr.'s role is being kept under wraps, but the film is set during the Newark race riots in the 1960s, and his character is expected to be in direct conflict with protagonist Dickie Moltisanti, played by Alessandro Nivola.

Written by Sopranos creator David Chase and longtime collaborator Lawrence Konner, the film is to be directed by Alan Taylor. The cast also includes Vera Farmiga, Ray Liotta, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, and Michael Gandolfini, who will play a younger version of Tony Soprano, originated onscreen by his father, James Gandolfini.

The theatrical release date is set for September 25, 2020.