Imperioli connected to "Lovely Bones"

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Emmy-winning "Sopranos" star Michael Imperioli has joined the cast of Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lovely Bones."

The all-star lineup includes Rachel Weisz, Ryan Gosling, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci and newcomer Saoirse Ronan.

The big-screen adaptation of Alice Sebold's best-seller centers on a young girl who is murdered but continues to observe her family on Earth after her death. She witnesses the impact of her demise on her loved ones, while her killer skillfully covers his tracks and prepares to murder again.

Imperioli will play Len Fenerman, the detective in charge of investigating the girl's death.

Jackson will start shooting the DreamWorks/Paramount project in October, in Pennsylvania and New Zealand.

Imperioli recently received his fifth Emmy nomination for his supporting role as an ill-fated mobster on HBO's "The Sopranos," having won the statuette in 2004. His credits include "GoodFellas," "Bad Boys," "Summer of Sam" and the upcoming "The Inner Life of Martin Frost."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter