In the new documentary 'Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos,' Michael Imperioli revealed that during his audition for the iconic HBO series, he felt he had blown it. He recalled, 'To be really frank, it was kind of the bargain basement of TV, it really was. But I loved the character...his name was Dean when I first read the script.' This sentiment reflects the initial skepticism surrounding HBO's reputation in the late 90s.
Discussing his feelings about series creator David Chase, Imperioli expressed initial disbelief, stating, 'I kind of thought 'Who's this guy' making a show about Italians! Scorsese and Coppola were Italian Americans.' This highlights his initial skepticism about the show's direction and Chase's authority in telling such a culturally significant story.
Chase provided insight into Imperioli's audition process, stating, 'Michael came in and he was great. But I played it straight. He was like, 'Who the f-k is this guy, anyway, he's not even Italian. F-k him!' This admission adds depth to their collaboration, showing the tension within the audition room.
Despite doubts, Imperioli's hard work paid off, as he shared, 'But I worked really hard on it, and went in [to audition] for David [Chase]. And David is very poker faced....I walked out of [the audition] thinking, 'This ain't gonna happen. Who cares, he's not even Italian!' His dedication reverberates through the legacy of his character, Christopher Moltisanti.
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