'Sopranos' star signs production deal with network

James Gandolfini will extend his relationship with HBO beyond next year's final episodes of "The Sopranos."

The Emmy-winning actor has signed a three-year production deal with the premium-cable network, under which he'll develop projects exclusively for HBO and its specialty movie division, Picturehouse. As such, Gandolfini is also launching a production company called Attaboy Films with partner Alex Ryan.

"'The Sopranos' is a landmark in TV, and the gifted James Gandolfini is one of the reasons for the show's remarkable success," HBO Chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht says. "I'm delighted that he will continue to work with the network after the end of the series."

Among Gandolfini's first projects as a producer is the biopic "Hemingway," in which he will also star. Barbara Turner ("Pollock," "The Company") is writing the script, and Philip Kaufman ("The Right Stuff") will direct the film, which focuses on the legendary writer's romance with war correspondent Martha Gellhorn.

Gandolfini and Ryan are also working on a documentary for HBO about U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Gandolfini has won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos," which is in production on its final season. His big-screen credits include "Get Shorty," "The Last Castle" and the upcoming "All the King's Men."