The hair is fuller but the similarity to his dad is uncanny as the son of the late James Gandolfini is seen on the set of The Sopranos prequel.

Michael Gandolfini, 19, will play a younger version of the mafioso Tony Soprano in the eagerly anticipated film, The Many Saints of Newark.

The young actor, who found his father dead in 2013, was accompanied on set in New York by his mother, Marcy Wudarski Gandolfini.

He was spotted chatting with David Chase, the creator and writer-producer of the HBO TV show and film.

Gandolfini was cast in January, following small roles in Ocean’s Eight and HBO’s The Deuce.

(Image: GC Images) (Image: FilmMagic)

He said he was grateful to be allowed to follow in his father’s footsteps, saying: “It’s a profound honour to continue my dad’s legacy.”

Series writer and producer Terence Winter said he had faith the teenager would do his father justice.

He said: “I’ve known Michael since he was a baby. He’s hugely talented, like his dad. But those are big shoes to fill.”

The new film is set in the late 1960s, detailing the deadly riots that lead to violence between rival Italian and African-American gangs.

(Image: Channel 4)

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The cast includes Alessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Christopher Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli in the original series.

Also starring in unknown roles is Goodfellas star Ray Liotta as well as Billy Magnussen and Vera Farmiga.

James Gandolfini, 51, died of a heart attack on June 19, 2013, while on holiday in Rome.

Michael, then 13, discovered him unconscious in their hotel.

James played Tony Soprano from 1999 to 2007, winning multiple awards and ­nominations in the iconic role.