WarnerMedia and David Chase are in early talks about a possible The Sopranos prequel show on HBO Max. The idea of a prequel to Chase's iconic HBO mob series seemed like a pipe dream until The Many Saints of Newark made it a reality.

The original Sopranos ran on HBO from 1999 to 2007 and is hailed as the show that ushered in the era of prestige. This year's theatrical-and-streaming Many Saints of Newark revisited the characters from the original series, with James Gandolfini's son Michael playing the young Tony Soprano. However, reviews for the prequel were mixed, with critics faulting it for leaning too heavily into fan service and not fully exploring Tony's origins.

To address these concerns, Chase and WarnerMedia are considering another Sopranos project on HBO Max. It has not been decided whether it will be a show or another movie. The success of The Many Saints of Newark's streaming numbers has fueled enthusiasm for the potential project.

Chase has previously expressed interest in exploring the years between The Many Saints of Newark and the beginning of the show. He would want to collaborate with Sopranos writer Terrence Winter. The new prequel could be set anywhere from the late '70s to the late '90s, depending on the age of the actor playing young Tony.

While a second prequel movie may less appealing, a TV show revival seems to be the preferred option for HBO Max. The streaming service wants to capitalize on the renewed interest in The Sopranos sparked by The Many Saints of Newark. The lackluster box office performance of the movie further suggests that a TV series would be a better way to continue the Sopos brand.

If a new prequel show or movie does happen, it should focus more on delving into Tony's character and his evolution into a mob boss, while minimizing obvious fan service. The intriguing moments in The Many Saints of Newark were those that provided insight into Tony's development, and the new project should aim to have more of these moments.