Alessandro Nivola in talks to star in 'Sopranos' prequel film

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Alessandro Nivola is being eyed to star in Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema's upcoming Sopranos prequel film titled The Many Saints of Newark.

Nivola is in negotiations to star in the film as Dickey Moltisanti, a character that was never seen on HBO's Sopranos series but was referenced throughout the show.

Moltisanti is the uncle of Sopranos characters Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and is the father of Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli). He was said to have helped build up the Soprano crime family that Tony eventually heads on the series.

The prequel will take place during the Newark riots in the 1960s. Moltisanti is described as a charismatic and violent man who falls in love with his father's young bride and who mentors a teenaged Tony.

Alan Taylor is directing The Many Saints of Newark from a script by Sopranos series creator David Chase and Lawrence Konner. Chase is also producing.

Nivola was recently seen in Disobedience opposite Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams and is set to star in satire The Art of Self Defense opposite Jesse Eisenberg.