Sopranos prequel set to add Corey Stoll and Billy Magnussen to its cast

Yesterday, it was announced that THE PUNISHER and THE WALKING DEAD star, Jon Bernthal, and THE DEPARTED actress, Vera Farmiga, would be joining the cast of New Line's THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, a prequel film to HBO's critically-acclaimed THE SOPRANOS series. Today, word has reached the masses that Corey Stoll (ANT-MAN, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS) and Bill Magnussen (GAME NIGHT, INTO THE WOODS) have entered the final negotiations process to star in the hotly-anticipated project.

It's been said that, because no one wants to sleep with the fishes, that those working on the feature have remained tight-lipped about the details surrounding the film. What I can tell you is that the prequel will take place in Newark, New Jersey, during the locale's 1960s riots – a time when African Americans and Italians are at war with one another for dominion of the crooked locale. According to sources, fans of THE SOPRANOS can expect to some of their favorite characters from the original series to be featured in this new endeavor.

Alan Taylor is set to direct from a script penned by Sopranos creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner. In addition to their contributions as writers, the duo will also produce, with Nicole Lambert and Marcus Viscidi serving as executive producers.

As you're likley to be aware, THE SOPRANOS ran on HBO for a total of six seasons from January of 1999 to June of 2007, during which a family of mobsters, lead by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), worked to maintain a balance between their personal lives and that of their criminal organization. So successful was HBO's mafia-centric series, that it was hailed by many to be the "greatest" television series of all time.

With HBO putting out hits on such top-notch talent for THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, it's to be suspected that the project will have fans of the original series smiling from ear to ear, as they chomp their cigars and watch in anticipation of someone getting "whacked."

Are you excited for THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK? Let us know in the comments section below.