It's hard to imagine The Sopranos without James Gandolfini playing the main character Tony. Anyone who has watched the show or seen any clips has his voice burned in their brains. The look, the figure, the way he moves, it's all deeply distinct to the actor's choices. It's his work that helps make the HBO hit one of the greatest shows of all time. However, apparently, it wasn't always promised that Gandolfini would become Tony Soprano. There's one core reason it almost fell apart at the finish line: he didn't seem 'threatening enough' to the creator.
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Recently, Vulture ran an article detailing how James Gandolfini got cast in The Sopranos. His manager at the time Nancy Sanders combs over the script, almost certain her guy was the perfect person to play the mafia boss. However, apparently, show runner David Chase was skeptical despite the obvious acting chops. "All right, here's the deal," he tells Sanders after watching Gandolfini's demo reel. "I think he's brilliant. I have one concern, and that is, Is he threatening enough?"
The Sopranos Almost Lost Its Lead Because The Creator Didn't Think He Was 'Threatening Enough' as Mafia Boss
Immediately, Sanders retorts that this can't possibly be the case. There were some issues sure but Gandolfini could play an imposing figure like Tony Soprano. "If you said to me, 'He's a little chubby,' or 'He's losing his hair,' I could understand. But he's threatening enough. This is your guy," she stresses.
Casting directors Georgianne Walken and Sheila Jaffe were also completely sold on Gandolfini for The Sopranos. Chase didn't buy it until he met the actor personally. Then, the shoe was on the other foot. Then, the show's creator and James' manager had to convince him the show would be a hit. "Why am I doing this? I came to you to do f—ing movies," Sanders recalls Gandolfini telling him. "And now I'm doing an HBO series? I don't even know what the network is!"
Eventually, some coaxing from his manager causes Gandolfini to reluctantly accept the role for The Sopranos. "Jim, listen to me. This is the best piece of writing I've ever read, whether it be TV, film, or theater. I promise you: This is worth doing," Sanders recounts. "It's not going to change the world, but it's going to change TV."
