Robert De Niro to be replaced by John Turturro in Criminal Justice

John Turturro will replace Robert De Niro in the HBO miniseries Criminal Justice, which was to have starred James Gandolfini.

Robert De Niro replaced James Gandolfini on the drama after the Sopranos veteran’s sudden death in Rome last June.

The seven-part miniseries was thrown briefly into limbo by James Gandolfini’s death, and Robert De Niro would have been one of the most celebrated film actors to turn his attention to the small screen.

No one has seen Robert De Niro or James Gandolfini in the role – HBO will not air the pilot that was shot with Gandolfini – but audiences will no doubt imagine how the character might have been different as interpreted by the other men.

John Turturro stars in the new film Fading Gigolo, in which he directed a cast that includes himself and Woody Allen.

Criminal Justice is co-written and executive produced by Richard Price and Steven Zaillan. It is based on the BBC series of the same name.

James Gandolfini, who was among Criminal Justice‘s executive producers, will remain posthumously as an executive producer.