'Sopranos' plots a return in March

HOLLYWOOD, July 16 (UPI) -- The top gun at HBO says it looks like "The Sopranos'" fifth season will launch in March.

"It's pretty close to what we think will happen," said Chris Albrecht, chairman and chief executive officer of HBO. "If you had to place bets, I'd put most of my money there," the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

Sopranos creator and writer David Chase was reportedly reluctant to tackle a fifth season, so Albrecht was certain it would be the last.

Earlier this year HBO and series star James Gandolfini, who plays troubled mob boss Tony Soprano, endured contentious contract negotiations that might have scuttled season five. Gandolfini's representatives said he was not being paid fairly compared to other prominent series stars, such as Dennis Franz of NYPD Blue.

The dispute was resolved in March.