The Sopranos prequel film casts James Gandolfini's son Michael to play a young Tony Soprano

Deadline

Budding actor Michael Gandolfini has been cast to play the role originated by his dad in David Chase's The Many Saints of Newark, reports Deadline. "The late actor’s son has been gaining experience and had a breakout turn on the HBO drama series The Deuce," according to Deadline's Mike Fleming Jr. "His resemblance to Tony Soprano is uncanny. The filmmakers engaged in an extensive audition process to find the young Tony before Gandolfini won the role. Insiders said that his screen presence, mastery of Tony’s mannerisms, coupled with his resemblance to the elder Gandolfini made him the standout choice for the role because no one there understood the character better, the insiders said." Michael Gandolfini was 13 years old in June 2013 when he discovered his dad collapsed in the bathroom of their hotel room in Italy. James Gandolfini was later pronounced dead at age 51. “It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,” Michael Gandolfini said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that I’m going to have the opportunity to work with David Chase and the incredible company of talent he has assembled for The Many Saints of Newark.”