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Tony Luke lands first starring role in upcoming Philly film

    by Dan Gross
    Published 

Sandwich mogul

Tony Luke Jr.

is gearing up for his first starring role, as a boxer, in "The Nail," which is

» READ MORE: to start shooting

May 20 in town, largely in South Philly. Northeast/Trenton-raised

Leo Rossi

is producing and co-starring in the picture, written by

Jason Noto

and directed by

James Quattrochi

. Luke has slimmed down considerably recently, but has not been able to work out for a few weeks due to surgery on a deviated septum. Luke, who has appeared in "10th & Wolf," and "Invincible," has a background in boxing and karate and feels he'll be able to pull off playing fighter Joey "The Nail" Nardone, who is trying to rebuild his life after being released from prison. Rossi, who plays Luke's trainer in the film, just produced "Wisegal," a Lifetime original movie that stars

Alyssa Milano

and

James Caan

. It airs at 9 tonight. Rossi worked with Milano in "Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story," a 1993 television movie.