'The Sopranos' star says it's 'uncanny' how much Michael Gandolfini looks like his late father in 'The Many Saints of Newark'

"They're very big shoes to fill... and I understand he really rises to the occasion," Schirripa said of Michael's role as a young Tony Soprano.

• Steve Schirripa said James Gandolfini's son shares an "uncanny" resemblance to the late actor.
• Michael Gandolfini plays a young Tony Soprano in the upcoming "Sopranos" prequel movie.
• Schirripa said Michael has "big shoes to fill" but that he "rises to the occasion."
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Steve Schirripa said that Michael Gandolfini's resemblance to his late father, James Gandolfini, is "uncanny" in the upcoming "Sopranos" prequel movie "The Many Saints of Newark."

Michael plays a young Tony Soprano (the role originated on "The Sopranos" by his dad), and Schirripa, who costarred on the HBO drama, told Insider seeing Michael in the role was a special experience.

"It's uncanny," Schirripa said in an interview while promoting his Sir Kensington's partnership. "He looked so much like his dad and he always has."

The "Blue Bloods" actor said that the period costumes and wigs in the new film definitely helped Michael transform into a young Tony, and praised the young actor's performance.

"They're very big shoes to fill. And I understand he really rises to the occasion," Schirripa told Insider.

Schirripa also praised the work of David Chase, who created "The Sopranos" and wrote many of the mafia drama's episodes. Chase penned the screenplay for "The Many Saints of Newark" with fellow "Sopranos" screenwriter Lawrence Konner, and according to Schirripa, is a "true genius."

Schirripa isn't the only one who's noticed Michael's uncanny resemblance to his late father. In July, James' widow Deborah Lin said that it was "almost surreal" seeing Michael in the trailer for "Many Saints."

"The whole family is just so proud of him. His father would be very proud," Lin said.

Set in the 1960s and '70s, "The Many Saints of Newark" follows a young Tony Soprano (Gandolfini) as he comes of age in New Jersey and begins his life of crime.

Ray Liotta, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Corey Stoll, and Alessandro Nivola also star in the film, which premieres October 1. You can watch the trailer below.