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"I have so much to prove being the bastard son of Big Pussy, the rat."
HBO
Who do you play in the video game?
MAELEN
I'm playing Joey LaRocca, a new character created for the game. I'm basically a kid who's friends with
A.J. And I'm trying to prove myself because I have a lot to prove, being the bastard son of a rat. And I'm
an enforcer basically doing whatever they tell me to do - beating people up, threatening, pushing people
out the window, nice family stuff.
HBO
What interests you about doing this game?
MAELEN
Well, the fact that the cast from The Sopranos® was doing it. James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli,
Steven van Zandt, Tony Siricco. Those guys are amazing actors and the fact that they're doing it gave it
the stamp of approval. And, once I read the script and everything, it's fantastic. It's just like an echo from
the show, so it made it worthwhile. I knew it was going to be really cool.
HBO
How does this game fit into the story line for The Sopranos®?
MAELEN
It's like an extension of it really. It's like another episode of the show. It gels right into it. When I was
reading it or when someone sees the game or plays the game they're going to feel like they're actually a
character in the show ... which is pretty cool to be a character in The Sopranos®, a regular Joe. They
did a really great job of capturing the mood and the essence of the show. I was impressed with it. It made
it a lot easier than just coming in and going, "Oh God, we're doing a game of a show and we don't know
how good it's going to be." But once you read the script you knew right away.
HBO
How has it been trying to become a character without regularly interacting with cast members?
MAELEN
From being a fan of the show, just remembering those characters - they have such a strong presence,
Gandolfini, Siricco and those guys. Their characters are so strong that they're really embedded into my
mind. When I read the lines or I read their lines which they were going to say back to me, I can actually
imagine how they would say it to me.
HBO
What kind of guy is Joey, and how does he relate to this crew?
MAELEN
He's not the kind of guy you want your daughter to date, I'll tell you that much. He relates to the crew
because he has a lot to prove. He's like the bastard stepchild. It's a lot of fun proving yourself in this kind
of environment because you get to do a lot of things that we don't in life, like throw people out the window
and beat people up constantly, and that kind of thing.
HBO
Your character's the illegitimate son of Big Pussy. He's a really beloved character on the show.
MAELEN
He is. I was sad to see him get whacked. Many people were sad to see Big Pussy, Vincent Pastore, get
whacked. It's nice to be associated with that amazing character.
HBO
What is it about your character that will fit in well with all of The Sopranos® guys?
MAELEN
You fit in by proving yourself. That's the main thing. Everything's a test with these guys in this setting.
Everything's a test. Joey LaRocca is up for the test.
HBO
Tell me about some of the violence in the game. What is SOPRANOS violence?
MAELEN
It's very realistic. They've captured a lot of realism with the violence like the show does. When you watch
the show you're like, "Ow!" You make grunts and faces with them because it feels like it's so real. It's the
same thing with the game. They really captured the essence of THE SOPRANOS show. It's not a lot of
spinning back flips and kicks that nobody can really do, and flying off of buildings. This is picking up a
pipe and hitting someone over the head, and the head exploding, you know, that kind of stuff, so-
HBO
How does your character interact with Tony?
MAELEN
I work with Pauley, Tony Sirico's crew. So I basically listen to him - do whatever he tells me because he's
my captain. I take a lot of slack from a character like Christopher who doesn't really think I should be
here. There's a lot of animosity between the two of us, which is nice. I have to earn the respect of all the
other characters while I'm the lackey. I have so much to prove being the bastard son of Big Pussy, the rat.
HBO
What does the game have in comparison to the show?
MAELEN
It has a lot of the elements of the show. When you watch the show you're kind of going, "Oh, that's cool,
man. I wish I could see what that's like one day, or do that." Now you actually can. Now you can actually
go and get some lap dances, beat somebody up and steal their money all in a day's work.
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