London: Former "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini is set to play the lead role in a film version of the BBC show "The Thick of It".

Thesun.co.uk reports that Gandolfini has landed the role of a general in the comedy "In the Loop". He will star alongside the original cast of the show - Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Paul Higgins.

A BBC source said: "We can't believe we've got James - it's his first major role since 'The Sopranos'."

The film is a parody on the workings of the US and British governments.