Michael Imperioli to direct 'Ghosts'

'Sopranos' actor reteams with Schirripa on film

By WINTER MILLER

“The Sopranos” thesp Michael Imperioli makes his feature helming debut with his script “The Hungry Ghosts.” Ensemble drama begins lensing May 19 in Gotham with a projected budget under $1 million for the 24-day shoot.

Pic stars “Sopranos” pals Steve Schirripa and Sharon Angela, Nick Sandow (“The Lovebirds”) and Aunjanue Ellis (“Freedomland”). Interwoven plotlines involve divorcees Schirripa and Angela trying to keep their troubled son off the streets and ex-lovers Sandow and Ellis negotiating a push-pull relationship.

Imperioli co-wrote and exec-produced Spike Lee’s “Summer of Sam” and scripted five episodes of “The Sopranos.” He stars next opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz in helmer Peter Jackson’s upcoming “The Lovely Bones.”

“Ghosts” is produced by Diane Crespo and Stefan Schaefer of Cicala Filmworks, Victoria Imperioli, and Tina Thor and Howard Axel of TMT Entertainment.