Even after 25 years, *The Sopranos* remains a cultural staple and one of the most popular shows streaming on Max. Premiering in 1999, it played a pivotal role in transforming HBO into a hub for prestige television. A large part of the show’s enduring impact is due to the late James Gandolfini’s legendary portrayal of Tony Soprano. However, HBO’s new documentary, *Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos*, reveals that another actor came surprisingly close to playing the iconic mob boss — Steven Van Zandt, who would later become known for his role as Silvio Dante.
*Wise Guy*, now available on Max, is filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes details about the making of the iconic mob series. One of the most intriguing revelations involves the casting journey that ultimately led to James Gandolfini landing the role of Tony Soprano. As it turns out, the process was far from straightforward, even for a character that would come to define an era of television.
David Chase, the show’s creator, struggled to find the right actor to bring Tony to life. It wasn’t until he watched the 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony that he saw someone who caught his eye: musician Steven Van Zandt, known as “Little Steven” from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Van Zandt’s commanding presence and Jersey-inspired look struck a chord with Chase, who had been searching for an actor who could embody the complexities of the character.
Intrigued, Chase invited Van Zandt to audition for the role of Tony Soprano. The documentary features never-before-seen footage from that audition, which reportedly went quite well. Chase himself admitted, “Yeah, this could be Tony.”
However, there was a hitch. HBO wasn’t convinced about casting an unproven actor in such a crucial role. Although Chase was captivated by the idea of Van Zandt as Tony, the network needed a seasoned performer who could carry the weight of a show as heavy as *The Sopranos*. Despite Van Zandt’s magnetic screen test, his lack of acting experience was a significant concern.
Yet, Chase wasn’t ready to part ways with Van Zandt entirely. Instead, he took an extraordinary step: he wrote a role specifically for the musician. Initially envisioned as a minor character — a nightclub owner on the fringes of Tony’s world — the role evolved into something far more substantial. This character would become Silvio Dante, Tony’s trusted consigliere and one of the most beloved figures in the series.
Ironically, Steven Van Zandt later got the chance to play a Tony-esque role when he starred as the lead in the mob drama *Lilyhammer*, a series available on Netflix.
James Gandolfini’s portrayal of Tony Soprano has since become legendary, but the tantalizing “what if” scenario of his eventual co-star nearly taking on the same role is fascinating to consider. Reflecting on the casting decision in the documentary, David Chase acknowledged that choosing Gandolfini was one of the best decisions he ever made. As Chase put it: *“It was the right choice for a role that would change television forever.”*
