10 TV Shows That Were Saved By One Genius Tweak

9. Not Casting Steven Van Zandt As Tony Soprano - The Sopranos

Lost Jack
HBO

It's basically impossible to imagine anyone but the late, great James Gandolfini portraying The Sopranos' iconic mobster protagonist Tony Soprano, yet if creator David Chase got his way, things would've gone quite differently.

According to Steven Van Zandt, who went on to play Tony's right-hand man Silvio Dante, he was Chase's original choice to play Tony.

Despite having no acting experience and being best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Chase handpicked him for the part. In Van Zandt's own words:

"It was one of those weird things. [Chase] wanted unusual, new faces, and he really thought I could do it, and out of pure ignorance naiveté I thought I could do it. Luckily HBO wouldn't let him, so we ended up with one of the greatest actors of all-time, Jimmy G [Gandolfini]."

Needless to say, it was the right call. Chase then ended up writing the Silvio role specifically for Van Zandt, and as perfect as he was in that role, his lack of acting experience and on-screen demeanour would've made him so, so wrong for Tony.

By switching him out for James Gandolfini, the show's greatness was ensured. Had HBO allowed Van Zandt front and center, it's tough to imagine The Sopranos being quite the same show - or being nearly as captivating out of the gate.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.