How do you cast someone to follow one of the greatest modern American actors in one of the most cherished roles in TV history? You could get a buzzy young name who'd probably do a good job, sure: a Chalomet, maybe, or someone like that. They'd be decent. Or you could trust it to science, and cast whoever has the closest DNA match to your original star.

That's what the team on David Chase's The Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints of Newark have gone for: they've cast James Gandolfini's son as the young Tony Soprano.

Michael Gandolfini's relatively fresh to the screen, having played a bus boy in Ocean's Eight and made his first big impression in The Deuce as Joey Dwyer. He's understandably buzzing to be following in his dad's very threatening footsteps.

"It's a profound honour to continue my dad’s legacy while stepping into the shoes of a young Tony Soprano," Gandolfini told 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."

Insiders also suggested to Deadline that despite an extensive casting process, Gandolfini Junior got the part because he'd nailed Tony's mannerisms and vocal tics, and that he'd got a closer grasp on what made Tony tick. Also, he really, really, really, really looks like his dad.