Wise Guy: David Chase And The Sopranos TRAILER Delves Into The Creation Of THIS Iconic Mob Drama; Watch

As a die-hard Sopranos fan who’s grown up with Tony, Carmela, Paulie, and the rest of the gang, I can hardly contain my excitement for HBO’s new documentary, Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos. Having binge-watched the series countless times, I’ve always wondered about the genius behind those captivating storylines and complex characters. This documentary promises to delve deep into the mind of David Chase, exploring his life experiences that have shaped the iconic show.


On September 7, HBO will introduce a captivating two-part documentary titled “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos.” This documentary delves into the lasting impact of HBO’s revolutionary series, The Sopranos, which continues to be a cultural touchstone 25 years since its initial airing.

In the movie “Wise Guy”, director Alex Gibney delves into the thoughts and life of David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, scrutinizing his personal history, professional journey, and the real-life incidents that influenced the groundbreaking series.

In a recreation of Dr. Melfi’s psychiatrist office, the film focuses on Chase, revealing the beginnings of The Sopranos series and how his life shaped the characters and storylines. The movie features returning cast members Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, and Steven Van Zandt. It also includes interviews from the late stars James Gandolfini, Tony Sirico, and Nancy Marchand, along with early audition tapes and behind-the-scenes clips.

Wise Guy also includes insights from The Sopranos writers and producers, such as Robin Green, Terence Winter, and Frank Renzulli, along with former HBO executives Chris Albrecht and Carolyn Strauss. 

In addition to discussing various aspects of the production process, Chase reminisces about his experiences growing up Italian-American in New Jersey, his professional journey with HBO, and his creative partnership with the late James Gandolfini. The documentary serves to illuminate how ‘The Sopranos’ transformed television, offering unique insights into the creation of a groundbreaking series that significantly impacted TV history.

Initially, the documentary explores Chase’s formative years and the inception of ‘The Sopranos’, which initially took shape as a screenplay centered around a mobster whose own mother contrives his murder. Later on, Chase transformed this into the revolutionary HBO show we know today. The subsequent section delves into the hurdles Chase encountered during the development process, such as devising intricate 13-episode storylines and maintaining a blend of dark wit throughout the series.

The documentary film “Wise Guy” is overseen by producers Ophelia Harutyunyan and Alex Gibney. Executive production is handled by Nicole Lambert, Richard Perello, Stacey Offman, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez, for HBO.

The documentary is set to make its debut on Saturday, September 7, at 8:00 p.m., both on HBO and East/Pacific Time. Additionally, it will be streamable on Max. Known for his Academy Award win, Alex Gibney directed this documentary, which first appeared at the 2024 Tribeca Festival as its world premiere.

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2024-08-21 20:38