Bruce Springsteen Forum

David Chase and Steven Van Zandt reunite for his ’60s-set musical drama (exclusive)

David Chase has gotten the band together, and it's turned into a reunion tour.

The writer-director has been on a nationwide search for young, relative unknowns to star in his untitled rock 'n' roll coming-of-age film, and he's found them in John Magaro, Jack Huston and Will Brill. But he's also brought aboard his old "Sopranos" actor, guitarist Steven Van Zandt, to supervise the music for the film and executive produce.

The music-driven project, which will be Chase's feature directing debut, follows a group of suburban New Jersey guys making their way during the 1960s as a rock band called the Twilight Zones. Shooting is scheduled to begin in January in New York.

Paramount Vantage will release the film, which Chase is producing with Mark Johnson ("Rain Man").

"I am thrilled to be working with Steven again, especially on this particular subject," Chase said. "It's not just that we both worship the same songs and bands from the era, it's that he obviously knows so much. About every aspect. He embodies a particular spirit of a particular kind of rock 'n' roll. He actually is that spirit."

Van Zandt grew up amid the music scene on the Jersey shore, becoming a songwriter and producer for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes before gaining international fame as an integral part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He ultimately became an arranger on the Boss' album "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and shared production credits on "The River" and "Born in the U.S.A."

Chase cast Van Zandt as Silvio, Tony Soprano's right-hand man, on his classic HBO series "The Sopranos."

"Everyone at Paramount is proud that our studio will be the home of David's first feature," said Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey, who was an executive producer on "Sopranos." "He is a gifted story-teller and a great friend. His talent, along with Steven's, promises something uniquely insightful and entertaining. We are all looking forward to a great picture and I am personally looking forward to working with them both again."

Magaro, who is repped by Abrams Artists Agency and Authentic Talent and Literary Management, has appeared in "The Box," "Assassination of a High School President" and "The Brave One." He also stars in Rogue's "My Soul to Take," which opened last weekend.

Repped by UTA, the Collective and Ken McReddie Associates in the U.K., Huston most recently appeared in the "Twilight' sequel "Eclipse" and recurs on the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," created by Chase's "Sopranos" consigliere, Terence Winter. Huston next appears in the dramas "Wilde Salome" and "The Hot Potato."

Brill, repped by Stewart Talent Agency in New York, is making his feature debut.

Paramount Vantage has the Davis Guggenheim documentary "'Waiting for Superman'" in theaters now.

Quelle: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/ ... -van-30097