Sopranos fans - No more Tony Soprano
 

It could all get worked out eventually but filming is scheduled to begin in two weeks for the next season and HBO and James Gandolfini are having a nasty fight. He wants a raise of at least double the pay. I think I heard he gets $300,000 an episode and wants $800,000 an episode. I could have the numbers wrong. I don't know how much HBO makes off the Sopranos compared to a popular network show but I think he's worth more than $300,000 an episode if the Friends cast gets a million a year each. Gandolfini is suing HBO trying to force them to give him a new contract and this link shows how HBO just sued him! :eek: I'd hate to see the show end because of a contract dispute and if they try to write Gandolfine out of it, I can't imagine the show without THE Soprano.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/0...eut/index.html

In the business, this is called "negotiating." I have to believe it will all work out. The show immolates without Gandolfini, no doubt about it.

I have read that HBO is very cheap in relative terms with their actors in their shows. I remember hearing Luke Perry saying when he was on Oz that all the actors on the show got the minimum union deal.

It would suck if he got axed. Hopefully not literally.

Well, HBO doesn't sell advertisement which is a big loss of revenue. Also, I'm sure the Sopranos has helped sell a lot of subscriptions to HBO, but I don't know how you would judge that in order to make a judgement of the value of the show or its stars.

I also think HBO spends more money on production than other TV networks. The shows and movies made by HBO always has a much more professional look than those made by the networks.

I guess I'm done rambling. ;)

He'll be back. The lawsuits are just a formality.

I agree - he'll be around.

he looks even scarier with that beard.

Just heard that HBO cancelled filming for the 5th season. It's been postponed indefinitely. Damnit, someone needs to make Gandolfini an offer he can't refuse! ;)

I heard HBO offered him 800k and he wants 1mil an episode. Seems like they could work that out.

linkage

unfortunately, the "source" they are quoting is the New York Post.

heres some a link with a list of stories:

linky

This is easy to remedy. Just threaten him with guest appearances on Bill Maher's show. That will learn him, he will sign the dotted line before the ink is dry.

Will Gandolfini ever have a role as perfect and deep? Doubtful. He needs that show as much as it needs him.

Another reason why HBO can't afford to pay as much is that the Sopranos will never be sold into syndication, unlike Friends, Seinfeld, etc. That's how they can afford to pay those stars so much dough.

I disagree. Gandolfini will get plenty of more roles. No one else will play Tony Soprano, and that show will not go on without him.

He has all the leverage here.

I also think he deserves the money. He's garnered large (and critically acclaimed) roles in many big pictures since his Sopranos break, and HBO should pony up film-actor money for him. You think they haven't made enough off the success of the Sopranos that he shouldn't get a bit extra cut? Because lets be honest: as much as I love the series and the characters in it, some of the actors are more...versatile than others. Gandolfini is a baaaaad man. :)

(And eminitely watchable in the great The Man Who Wasn't There)