Sylvester Stallone to star in Mafia TV series “Omerta”

Actor Sylvester Stallone will star in “Omerta,” a television series about the world of the Mafia adapted from the samenamed novel by “The Godfather” author Mario Puzo, the specialized media outlet Deadline reported.

If the agreement to bring the last novel in Puzo’s Godfather series to the small screen comes about, and negotiations are currently in the final phase, it will be Stallone’s first foray into TV.

He will play the part of Mafia don Raymonde Aprile.

The Weinsten Company will undertake production of a series that as yet has not become concrete but will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who headed films such as “Training Day” (2001) and this year will create a remake of western “The Magnificent Seven” starring Denzel Washington.

“Omerta” was published after Puzo’s death.

Stallone, who this year will turn 70, returned to Hollywood’s front ranks in 2015 for his role as boxer Rocky Balboa in “Creed,” a role for which he won a Golden Globe for best supporting actor.

The star of the “Rocky” and “Rambo” sagas, Stallone’s popularity has extended to the younger generations with the films in “The Expendables” franchise.

Stallone has been nominated three times for Oscars, for best actor and best original screenplay for “Rocky” (1976) and for best supporting actor for “Creed,” but he has never taken home one of the statuettes.