Actor JAMES GANDOLFINI is to star in the big screen version of BBC sitcom THE THICK OF IT.
The Sopranos tough guy has signed on to play the lead role in the film, which has been renamed In The Loop.
The satirical British TV show originally starred disgraced actor Chris Langham, who was jailed last year (07) on child porn charges.
In The Loop will focus on the inner workings of the U.S. and U.K. governments and will be filmed in both Britain and Washington, D.C.
A BBC source tells British newspaper The Sun, "We can't believe we've got James - it's his first major role since The Sopranos.
"But Chris Langham will not appear in the film, it would be too controversial."
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