Monday, August 20, 2012

The Sopranos Cast Reunites For Nickelodeon And MarVista Entertainment's Original Kids TV Movie "Nicky Deuce"

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from PRNewswire:
The Sopranos Cast Reunites For Nickelodeon And MarVista Entertainment's Original Kids TV Movie Nicky Deuce

STEVE SCHIRRIPA, MICHAEL IMPERIOLI, VINCENT CURATOLA AND TONY SIRICO JOIN iCARLY'S NOAH MUNCK AND RITA MORENO

Movie Based on Children's Book Penned by Schirripa and Charles Fleming Commences Production in Montreal, Canada

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Welcome to the family... Nickelodeon, R&R Productions and MarVista Entertainment have united a star-studded cast including iCarly's Noah Munck and The Sopranos' Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Curatola and Tony Sirico, in addition to Rita Moreno, for the original kids TV movie Nicky Deuce. Based on the same-titled popular children's book by Schirripa and Charles Fleming, the movie also features Cristine Prosperi (Degrassi) and Cassius Crieghtney, with potentially more guest appearances to come. Production is underway in Montreal, Canada with a premiere set for 2013 on Nickelodeon and on YTV in Canada.

Munck, who also headlines the Nick pilot Gibby, stars in Nicky Deuce as Nicholas Borelli II, a nerdy, over-protected teen who transforms into the title character. Nicholas gets caught in the adventure of a lifetime when his plans to attend math camp go awry and he is sent to spend the summer with an uncle (played by Schirripa) he never knew he had in Brooklyn, NY. A fish out of water at first, Nicholas leans on local kids to help him fit in and winds up mistakenly earning a reputation as a tough guy. When confronted with some questionable dealings, Nicky uncovers family secrets and learns that the mean streets of Brooklyn aren't always what they seem.

"Nicky Deuce is a comedic coming-of-age story that is uniquely Nickelodeon," said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon Group. "Kids will love seeing Noah Munck in this new light – as culture-shocked Nicky who goes from mathlete to unlikely urban legend on the streets of Bensonhurst. Steve Schirripa not only wrote the book the movie is based on, but plays Uncle Frankie and brought in a bunch of his former Sopranos castmates to add a level of authenticity and fun to the movie."

"Nicky Deuce is an incredible production with top-notch talent in front of and behind the camera, and we are proud to be in business with such esteemed partners as Nickelodeon and YTV," states Fernando Szew, CEO, MarVista Entertainment. "Noah Munck, The Sopranos cast members and the incredible Rita Moreno are all bringing a ton of spirit and talent to this project, and it's as much of a joy to produce as it will be to watch."

In addition to his co-starring role in the film, Schirripa serves as executive producer alongside R&R's Ron Gilbert and MarVista's Fernando Szew (Beyond the Break, 3 Holiday Tails) and Robyn Snyder (A Golden Christmas, 16 Wishes, I Me Wed). Jon Rosenbaum (Big Time Rush, Supah Ninjas) is directing from a script by Art Brown (The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, Best Men), Douglas Sloan (The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, Princess Protection Program), Andy Callahan (Ties That Bind), Frank Lombardi (The Nanny) and Matt Fleckenstein (iCarly, Victorious). R&R's Ric Nish is producing.

Noah Munck's portrayal of Gibby on iCarly marks the first series regular role for the talented comedic actor and earned him a 2011 Kids' Choice Award nomination. Munck has co-starred in several television series including All of Us, American Body Shop and 1321 Clover and has guest starred in Rules of Engagement, Wizards of Waverly Place, and ER. He made his feature film debut in 2011 as tough-guy Ryan Tucker in The Rainbow Tribe. Munck's filmography also includes roles in Fox 2000′s All About Steve, New Line Cinema's Four Christmases and Columbia Pictures' Bad Teacher starring Cameron Diaz. He will next be seen in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Steve Schirripa is best known for playing the likeable mobster Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos. In addition to his six seasons on that show and 5 seasons on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, his other many television appearances include Joey, King of Queens and My Wife and Kids. Schirripa also hosts, narrates and executive produces the television true-crime series on Investigation Discovery's Nothing Personal, and appeared in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter.

About MarVista Entertainment

Founded in September 2003, MarVista Entertainment is a leading Los Angeles-based producer and worldwide distributor of films and television programming with a content library now featuring more than 2,000 hours of programming. The company has grown to become a preeminent supplier of programming to major cable networks in the U.S., including Lifetime, Hallmark Channel, Disney Channel, NBC Universal and MTV Networks, as well as key international broadcasters, generating extensive global terrestrial and pay television viewership. In the children's media arena, MarVista serves as the exclusive international distributor for Saban Brands' top rated action adventure franchise, Power Rangers, including the new seasons of Power Rangers Megaforce and Power Rangers Super Samurai, plus the classic library with over 700 episodes. In 2010, MarVista formed a partnership with Argentina's SNAP TV for original productions and distribution in the Latin America region. In 2011, the Company secured new investment capital from a private investment group led by Brian Sheth. www.marvista.net

About R&R Productions

With a combined 50 years of production experience in the film and television industry, Ric Nish and Ronald Gilbert joined forces this summer to offer foreign producers services on their Canadian productions, from early preparation to delivery and including tax credit management and interim financing.

Ronald Gilbert is a seasoned Executive Producer based in Montreal who has worked in various Canadian provinces and European countries. He's been Head of Production for companies such as Mediabiz International, Productions La FĂȘte and TVA International. He is a founding member of the board of the Quebec Film and Television Commission and is still a member of their Board of Directors. His credits include The Chronicles of Riddick 3, Magic Beyond Words: The JK Rowling Story, Whiteout, Orphan, and The Moth Diaries.

Ric Nish has worked as a producer, line producer and production manager for over 20 years, specializing in international productions. His feature film credits include Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, and The Fountain. His television work includes season one of Durham County (multi Gemini award winner and DGC award winner), I Me Wed and several pictures for Syfy Channel.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com.
Also, from The Huffington Post:
'Sopranos' Reunion: Nickelodeon Casts Stars In 'Nicky Deuce'

NEW YORK -- Nickelodeon is reuniting four members of the classic mob drama "The Sopranos" for a kids TV movie.

The new film, "Nicky Deuce," stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa. They played gang members Christopher and Bobby. Also starring are Tony Sirico and Vincent Curatola, who played fellow mobster Paulie and rival boss Johnny "Sack."

It's the first time they have performed together since "The Sopranos" ended five years ago.

The cast of the new film also includes veteran actress Rita Moreno and Cristine Prosperi of "Degrassi: The Next Generation."

"Nicky Deuce" is based on the children's book of the same title authored by Schirripa and Charles Fleming.

It's currently in production in Montreal. It's set to premiere next year on Nickelodeon, the network said Monday.

[Tags:] Video, Michael Imperioli, Rita Moreno, Steve Schirripa, Television, The Sopranos, Tony Sirico, Nickelodeon, Nickey Deuce, Sopranos Reunion, The Sopranos Reunion, Vincent Curatolda, TV News
Also, from The Independent:
Sopranos mobsters reunite for kids film

Nickelodeon is reuniting four members of the classic mob drama The Sopranos for a kids TV movie. The film, Nicky Deuce, stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa. They played gangsters Christopher and Bobby. Tony Sirico and Vincent Curatola, who played fellow mobster Paulie and rival boss Johnny "Sack", also star.
Also, from WENN via Orange UK News:
The Sopranos actor recruits former co-stars for children's movie

Actor Steve Schirripa has recruited three of his former The Sopranos co-stars to make a TV movie for kids.

Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico and Vincent Curatola will reunite with Schirripa for Nicky Deuce, marking the first time the quartet have starred together since the popular mob series wrapped in 2007.

The project, based on Schirripa's children's book of the same name, is expected to premiere on America's Nickelodeon network next year.
Also, from C21Media:
Sopranos actors reunite on Nick

A new Nickelodeon comedy telemovie has reunited a quartet of actors made famous by premium cablenet HBO’s gangster drama The Sopranos.

Steve Schirripa

Nicky Deuce will see Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Curatola and Tony Sirico back on screen together for the first time since the acclaimed series ended.

The telemovie, which is shooting in Montreal, will star iCarly’s Noah Munck as an over-protected and nerdy teen staying with his uncle (Schirripa) in Brooklyn for the summer, in the process mistakenly gains a tough guy image and learning some interesting family secrets. Rita Moreno (West Side Story) will also star.

It’s based on a children’s book of the same name from Schirripa, who played underboss Bobby Baccalieri in The Sopranos, and Charles Fleming. Nick is coproducing with Canada’s R&R Productions and MarVista Entertainment, and will debut the movie next year along with Canadian channel YTV.

Schirripa executive produces alongside R&R’s Ron Gilbert and MarVista’s CEO Fernando Szew and Robyn Snyder. R&R’s Ric Nish produces. Jon Rosenbaum (Big Time Rush) is directing, while the script comes from Art Brown, Douglas Sloan, Andy Callahan, Frank Lombardi and Mat Fleckenstein.

“Nicky Deuce is a comedic coming-of-age story that is uniquely Nickelodeon,” said the network’s president of original programming and development Majorie Cohn. She claimed Schirripa and his fellow Sopranos alum added “a level of authenticity and fun.”

Jesse Whittock
21-08-2012
©C21Media

GENRES: Children's, Drama, TV movie
SHOWS: iCarly, Nicky Deuce, The Sopranos
PEOPLE: Andy Callahan, Art Brown, Charles Fleming, Douglas Sloan, Fernando Szew, Frank Lombardi, Jon Rosenbaum, Matt Fleckenstein, Michael Imperioli, Noah Munck, Ric Nish, Rita Moreno, Robyn Snyder, Ron Gilbert, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Vincent Curatola
COMPANIES: Marvista Entertainment, Nickelodeon, R&R Productions
SECTIONS: C21Drama, C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US
Also, from Telegraph.co.uk:
Paulie Walnuts to sing Family Guy theme tune

Former Sopranos star Tony Sirico gets new role as mob dog in Family Guy - and joins Judi Dench, Dennis Waterman and Kelsey Grammer as actors who sing theme tunes.

Tony Sirico, the actor who played Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri in The Sopranos, is soon to join the select band of actors who have sung a television theme tune.

The 70-year-old from New York, whose acting CV includes parts in four Woody Allen films including Bullets Over Broadway, is lined up to sing the theme song for the next season of the Fox animated series Family Guy. Sirico will also have a recurring role as the voice of Vinnie the Dog, a pet with criminal ties that the Griffins buy.

According to reports in America, Sirico will also sing the theme tune, along with lead actor Seth MacFarlane. Sirico is not the first actor to sing a theme tune. Previous notable examples include:

* Dennis Waterman singing the theme tune for Minder, I Could Be So Good For You, which was a top three UK hit in 1980.

* Judi Dench took on the 1936 classic A Fine Romance as the theme song of the BAFTA-winning A Fine Romance, a series starring Dench and her husband, the late Michael Williams.

* Kelsey Grammer was the singer for the closing credits Frasier song, Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs.

* Bill Cosby had a 1969 hit single with Hikky Burr, the theme song written and co-performed by Quincy Jones for The Bill Cosby Show.

* Lee Majors sang Unknown Stuntman for his show The Fall Guy. The song was written by Glen A. Larson, Gail Jensen, and David Somerville, and lyrics include a reference to Majors's then-estranged wife, Farrah Fawcett.

* Will Smith performs The Fresh Prince, which was the theme tune to the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The song was written by Smith, with music by Quincy Jones.

* Ronnie Barker sang the theme tune to Going Straight, a a BBC sitcom which was a spin-off from Porridge. The tune, Men Without Women, was released as 7-inch single and had a B-side called The String Bean Queen.

* Chuck Norris drawls his way through The Eyes of the Ranger, the theme tune of the crime series Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris plays a member of the Texas Ranger Division.

Sirico, incidentally, has been much in demand recently. He is also set to voice Tony 'Peanuts' Sirico in the cartoon pilot Colonel Wallace (about an eccentric Southern fried-chicken business) and has just finished filming the Nickelodeon movie Nicky Deuce, in which he plays mobster Charlie Cement. He will also have a film coming out in 2013 called Zarra's Law in which he plays retired police detective Tony Zarra.