After the death of James Gandolfini back in June, the former Sopranos star’s upcoming HBO miniseries Criminal Justice was suddenly sent into limbo as the network and producers weighed their options regarding the highly anticipated TV project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, HBO has now decided to move forward with Criminal Justice, having landed Oscar-winner Robert De Niro in the role meant for the late Gandolfini.
Before his unexpected passing, Gandolfini had already filmed the Criminal Justice pilot, which will be reshot with De Niro in the role of Jack Stone, described as “an ambulance-chasing lawyer who becomes involved in a case defending a young man accused of murdering a girl on New York’s Upper West Side.”
Criminal Justice is based on a BBC miniseries of the same name. No word yet on when production will begin or when the series might air, but Gandolfini will retain a posthumous credit as executive producer.