Sopranos Creator David Chase Signs Deal with HBO, Opening Door To Sopranos Universe

For the first time in 14 years, HBO released new, original Sopranos content with the series' prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. Friday, before most viewers had a chance to watch the film, WarnerMedia announced that it has signed Sopranos creator David Chase to a five-year deal. With the new agreement, Chase will develop movies and shows for HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Since 2007, several shows created in response to the Sopranos' success have expanded into spinoffs. Namely. Vince Gilligan wrote Better Call Saul and El Camino following the end of Breaking Bad. Meanwhile, George R. R. Martin is planning multiple prequels to Game of Thrones. So could Chase counter with an extended universe of the Sopranos beyond Saints? The door is wide open.

In a September interview, Chase suggested he is more open to the idea than before. Chase says if The Sopranos expands, it would be a sequel to The Many Saints of Newark and follow Tony Soprano into his 20s.

I suspect HBO isn't ready to move on from Tony Soprano. Not yet.

Streaming services are in a war. All of them: HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, AppleTV+. If HBO executives think another Sopranos spinoff would better position them in the battle, they will pay Chase, the actors, and writers whatever it takes to create more content with the Sopranos characters.

Furthermore, a sequel to Saints should air as not a film but a series. With WarnerMedia more immersed in HBO Max than the box office today, a series has more long-term upside. Even if it's only one season, HBO Max could spread a new Sopranos series over three months, increasing its reach and subscription total.

If Chase needs another reason to expand the universe -- and he doesn't -- a report this week found that the original Sopranos series is experiencing a resurgence with new-found fandom from a younger generation. America wants more of the Soprano family.