Mr James Gandolfini has filed a complaint against US network HBO to try and free himself from having to appear in a fifth series of The Sopranos.
He says HBO missed a deadline for advising him that he would be needed for the new season, which is due to begin filming on March 24th.
It is believed that Mr Gandolfini wants to appear in the next series but is seeking to negotiate a better deal.
The actor, who plays Mafia boss Tony in the hit show, has filed the complaint to Los Angeles Superior Court.
Mr Gandolfini gets $400,000 an episode, a figure well below the $1 million an episode paid to the Friendscast or the $1.6 million paid to Frasierstar Kelsey Grammer.
Those stars, however, have renegotiated their contracts once their shows have been declared a success, just as Mr Gandoflini did in September 2000, when he signed a $10 million deal for two seasons.
But Sopranosseasons are only 13 episodes and take nine months to shoot, about the same time commitment as a 22-show network series. Also, The Sopranoshas not shown the syndication potential those other shows possess.