Thought James Gandolfini would have no part in the “Sopranos” prequel movie, “The Many Saints of Newark?”

Think again. Michael Gandolfini, the late actor’s own son, has been cast to play a young Tony Soprano in the film, Deadline reports.

Gandolfini, 19, previously appeared in HBO’s “The Deuce" as Joey Dwyer. His mother is Gandolfini’s first wife, Marcy Wudarski. James Gandolfini died in 2013.

“It’s a profound honor to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano,” Gandolfini said in a statement to Deadline. “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.’”

The report says it didn’t hurt the younger Gandolfini’s chances that he bears a striking resemblance to his father. The actor, who also had a small role as a busboy in the 2018 film “Ocean’s 8,” joins several other actors in the cast, including Alessandro Nivola, who will play Tony’s mentor Dickie/Dickey Moltisanti (Christopher Moltisanti’s father), along with Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen and Corey Stoll. It is not yet known what parts those actors will be playing.

“The Many Saints of Newark," which is forthcoming from New Line, has a script co-written by Chase, the creator of “The Sopranos,” and Lawrence Konner. The film will be directed by “Sopranos" veteran Alan Taylor. The story is set in the 1960s, during the Newark riots.

As with flashbacks during the TV series, the younger Tony Soprano may be seen at various ages in the film, meaning more than one actor could play him, but the rest of the cast is yet to be announced.

Michael Gandolfini recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of “The Sopranos” at a cast reunion in New York, mingling with his father’s on-screen family, Robert Iler and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Robert Iler, at left, with Michael Gandolfini and Jamie-Lynn Sigler at a 20th anniversary panel discussion for "The Sopranos" on Jan. 9 in New York.Getty Images

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.