HBO Suspends The Sopranos

[Blondie]

NEW YORK - HBO has suspended filming of "The Sopranos (news - Y! TV)" due to a contract dispute with the show's star, James Gandolfini (news), newspapers said.

Network executives told cast members that work on the fifth season of the hit show about a New Jersey mob family has been postponed indefinitely, the Daily News and the New York Post reported in Thursday editions. Filming had been scheduled to begin on March 24.


Gandolfini, who plays mob boss Tony Soprano, is reportedly seeking upward of $1 million an episode, while HBO has offered $800,000. Gandolfini currently earns about $400,000 an episode.


"Every year he asked for a raise," HBO lawyer Bert Fields told the Daily News. "They didn't have to pay a dime more than they did last time. They offered him a huge raise."


But Dan Klores, a spokesman for Gandolfini, said the actor is asking for what he deserves.


"When you start referring to an actor who has made a network an inordinate amount of money as 'a greedy pig' and you publicly accuse him of blackmail, you make yourself look stupid," Klores told the Daily News. "He doesn't deserve to be treated with anything but respect."


Last week, Gandolfini, who plays mob boss Tony Soprano, filed a Superior Court complaint claiming that HBO breached his contract. The actor alleged that HBO missed a deadline for advising him that his services would be needed for a fifth season.


On Tuesday, HBO fired back at Gandolfini in court, saying the actor must settle his contract dispute or risk being liable for more than $100 million in damages.


Source

 

[jamsmom]

URRRGHHHH!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

It sounds like they will make a deal. Not much difference between $800m and $1mm an episode when HBO already doubled his per episode fee. Besides, this would be the last season. It would make sense to more forward with the conclusion of the show.

 

[ltldeb]

Okay, why don't these actors realize how much money they are already making?

 

[jamsmom]

I'll dress up as him, put on heels and they can pay me less than $400K

I will also have to lower my voice among other things.

 

[Goofyposter]

HBO has offered $800,000. Gandolfini currently earns about $400,000 an episode.

Can you say G-R-E-E-D?

 

[WillyJ]

After the way last season went, they should all take a pay-cut, not a raise. . .

 

[Lorix2]

WillyJ - I agree! LOL!

I'll bet Gandolfini isn't too popular with the cast right now either who were waiting to start shooting. It's a shame he cannot survive on $400K per episode.

But I do know this! I WANT MY SOPRANOS!!!!!

 

[Blondie]

I agree Willy.

I was watching an episode from the very first season last week, and I couldn't help but notice how James Gandolfini's acting ability seems to have floundered while Edie Falco's has improved. During that first season, he seemed to have more of a passion for acting; more facial expression, etc.

Maybe that's how they want him portrayed, but I'm not so sure.

Is anyone out there worth One Million dollars per episode? Not in my opinion!

 

[ErikdaRed]

HBO is making way more than $1M per episode, as the star he just wants his piece of the pie. Without him there is no show, so he has all the bargaining power.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I think Tony should be 'disappeared' for a season (can't be any worse than last year!) - give the rest of the cast a chance to shine, and give the writers something more interesting than last year.

What the actors don't sem to understand is that pretty much all of the financial risk is with the production company and network - so if the show succeeds, they deserve the reward for the risk. The actors shold be paid a good wage, but $1 million per episode!

 

[Jeafl]

The stars of Friends all make $1 million per episode as well. I don't think ANYBODY is worth that kind of money.

 

[Lorix2]

I forgot to add that I think Eddie Falco has stepped up a bit too - I loved watching her get hysterical with Tony. I hope there is more in store for her too, she's a great actress. The whole cast is just awesome.

 

[Betsyt82]

I agree with Jeafl, no one worth that kind of money. What do you know with it all? How many episodes? That is alot of money to play pretend!!

 

[Bunchkin]

I agree that last season wasn't up to par.
I can say that I was more interested in the Carmella & Furio story line than seeing Carmella with Tony. Too bad they wrote off Furio!

Actors are such a pain in the tush!

 

[MosMom]

On the other hand though...when you look at how much that show is making and the majority of it not going to the actors. The actors are what make the show happen and $400K per episode these days isn't much. To us, it seems like a killing but in perspective to what the show is pulling in I'm sure it is diddly. I'd rather the actors get the money than some big wig sitting at a desk.

 

[Poohbear123]

They make too much money as it is....for ACTING!! Give me a Break! I personally think that they should ALL make about 90,000 a YEAR!

 

[jamsmom]

It's a shame that some of the $ that actors and sports figurs get couldn't be funneled to the military families,teachers, police, nurses....