Merrick Actor In New Sopranos Film: 'I've Seen About 10 Times!'

MERRICK, NY — Audiences are flocking to see "The Sopranos" prequel "The Many Saints of Newark."

While the film reintroduces us to Tony Soprano, and focuses on his start as a teenager in organized crime, a recent Kennedy High School graduate is part of the cast.

Chase Vacnin, who grew up in Merrick, is featured in the movie that hit theaters last week.

"I have seen the movie about 10 times," Vacnin told Patch. "It's a very surreal moment to see myself on the screen. I'm relishing it."

Vacnin, 19, landed the role of the young Jackie Aprile, a pivotal part from Season 1 of the classic HBO series.

He started watching "The Sopranos," especially early episodes with the older version of his character.

"Definitely in preparation for the role, that's when I really started diving into the series," Vacnin said.

He auditioned for a minor part in the "Many Saints" that was originally listed as "Teenage Boy." Vacnin filmed his "throw-away" one-line role.

"A couple of months go by, I get a phone call," he recalled.

David Chase, "Sopranos" creator and producer of the movie, was on the other end, confirming he was the "Teenage Boy."

"We're hitting it off. I tell him, 'We're having a Chase to Chase connection,'" Vacnin joked.

A few days later, another call came in asking him to reaudition for another scene-- now as Aprile.

"That was huge for me," he said. "That was a lucky place, lucky moment and I was able to capture it."

Vacnin got to share the screen with Michael Gandolfini, the son of James Gandolfini, who took on the teenaged version of the role immortalized by his dad.

"He and I are pretty close," Vacnin said. "When I got the role, he offered to take me out to lunch. It starts as a friendship."

The 2020 Kennedy graduate was a three-sport standout at the school, but did not perform in theater. His friends are also enjoying the celebrity status that is building.

"It's a beautiful experience," he said.

In a one-two punch for Vacnin, another movie opened last week giving him a more prominent role. "This Is The Night" stars Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale.

While Vacnin is more frequently in Los Angeles to jump-start his acting career, his Long Island ties are now in Atlantic Beach when he visits his father. But, education still comes first as he attends the University of Buffalo online, majoring in communication and a minor in theater.

"The irony of it all is, I go to a school, and I've actually never even stepped foot at the school. I've never seen the campus," Vacnin, a sophomore, said.

With big hopes for Hollywood, Vacnin is also a series regular on the Nickelodeon show "Drama Club."

"I'm getting more and more attention," Vacnin said. "Auditions are great. I'm getting them consistently on a weekly basis."

One role he likely wouldn't have to audition for is a potential sequel to the prequel, which Chase and others in the Sopranos stratosphere have intimated.

"If somehow they could further the scope of Jackie Aprile and Tony's relationship, I would be very grateful," he said.