HBO boss is open to possible 'Sopranos' prequel series if prequel movie is a success

The Soprano family – and extended family – could potentially return to our screens, the president of HBO has said.

The broadcaster is currently producing The Many Saints of Newark, a movie spin-off from the revered gangster series, set in the 1960s.

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Directed by Sopranos veteran helmsman Alan Taylor, who directed nine episodes of the show in all, winning an Emmy for one of them, it features the young Tony Soprano to the backdrop of the Newark race riots in 1967.

Playing Tony is Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late James Gandolfini, who played the mob linchpin in the original series, but who died following a heart attack in 2013.

“I keep saying ‘never say never’,” HBO president Casey Bloys told Deadline.

“There are no plans, there is no discussions about it, but (Michael) is a really good actor, we had him on The Deuce. There is nothing on the table at the moment but I will stay open.”

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The Many Saints of Newark will pivot on Alessandro Nivola's Dickie Moltisanti, father of Christopher Moltisanti from the original series who was occasionally discussed, but never seen on screen.

Dickie was always referred to as a mentor figure to the young Tony Soprano.

The film will also star Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Ray Liotta, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen and John Magaro.

It's due for release on September 25, 2020.