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David Chase Unveils CIA Mind-Control Series, Warns of Censorship

7/8/2026

Summary

David Chase MKUltra

David Chase is developing an HBO series, Project: MKUltra, dramatizing CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb’s program from John Lisle’s *Project Mind Control*.
He will write and direct a film about a college DJ using LSD, his first directing job since 2012’s *Not Fade Away*.
At the Karlovy Vary Festival, Chase warned that political content faces rapid censorship since the U.S. President Donald Trump administration, fearing creators may be limited like a reinstated Hays Code.

Summary

Chase CIA-Vaccine

The untitled film will juxtapose the CIA’s 1950s LSD weaponization with the polio vaccine rollout.
The film tracks a family linked to both the covert drug experiments and the public vaccination campaign.
Director Chase says the story derives from a true account shared by a close friend.
At Karlovy Vary, Chase said “motherfucking money” drives America’s ambitions and that U.S. President Donald Trump has been convicted of a felony.

Summary

Chase Rewrites Italy

Chase said he would rewrite the Italy storyline from *The Sopranos*, calling it a mistake.
He argued the show’s women were portrayed too sexy and hot, making them unrealistic.
He noted the series mirrored deep U.S. unhappiness and a national reluctance to acknowledge widespread depression.
He warned many cultural references in *The Sopranos* may fade, questioning the show’s long-term relevance.

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David Chase MKUltra

David Chase is developing an HBO series, Project: MKUltra, dramatizing CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb’s program from John Lisle’s *Project Mind Control*.
He will write and direct a film about a college DJ using LSD, his first directing job since 2012’s *Not Fade Away*.
At the Karlovy Vary Festival, Chase warned that political content faces rapid censorship since the U.S. President Donald Trump administration, fearing creators may be limited like a reinstated Hays Code.

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