Is this quote from David Chase proof Tony Soprano died in the final episode’s famous cut-to-black finale?

In an interview with writers Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall for  their deeply detailed 2019 compendiumThe Sopranos Sessions, David Chase was asked about the abrupt end to the show’s final scene. This was his response:

Yes, I think I had that death scene around two years before the end. Tony was going to get called to a meeting with Johnny Sack in Manhattan, and he was going to go back through the Lincoln Tunnel for this meeting, and it was going to go black there and you never saw him again as he was heading back. The theory being that something bad happens to him at the meeting. But we didn’t do that.

David Chase, creator of The Sopranos

Seitz responded by saying “you realise, of course, that you referred to that as a death scene.” Chase’s reply was “f..k you guys,” perhaps more intended to curse himself out for his slip of the tongue.

To understand this in its full context you will need to either read the book or listen to the audiobook but at face value it does appear that Chase has confirmed that the character of Tony Soprano did not survive the sudden blackout.

The ending itself still generates debate long after its television premiere in 2007. One simply needs to read the comments section on any YouTube video regarding the finale to discover varying points of analysis and passionate discussion about what “really” happened. Many of the more optimistic viewers argue that Tony survived and some give solid reasons for their opinion, however the general consensus is that Tony is killed, most likely by the man in the Members Only jacket.

So, what do you think? Does this comment by David Chase confirm Tony’s death, or do you have another theory? Tell us below.