KJ Apa is linked to play late Chic frontman Bradley Nowell, who died at 28 of a heroin overdose in 1996, in a biopic directed by Justin Chon.
The 27-year-old actor will play the singer-songwriter in a movie that lists Chic members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, Nowell’s widow Troy Dendekker and Nowell’s son (and new Chic singer) Jakob Nowell as govt producers, Deadline reported Thursday.
Chon and Bobby A whole bunch are writing the screenplay, which relies on a draft from Chris Mundy, for 3000 Footage, in keeping with the outlet.
The Lengthy Seashore, California based mostly band- which built-in parts of ska, punk and reggae into its materials – rose to fame within the mid-Nineties with hits resembling What I Acquired, Santeria and Unsuitable Method, with the majority of their mainstream success coming after Bradley’s passing in a San Francisco on Might 25, 1996.
The Auckland, New Zealand native ‘has spent nearly two years chasing this position as soon as he was conscious of the venture,’ insiders advised the outlet.
KJ Apa, 27, is linked to play late Chic frontman Bradley Nowell in a biopic directed by Justin Chon. Pictured in LA earlier this yr
Nowell pictured onstage in NYC in April of 1996, a few month earlier than he died of a heroin overdose on Might 25, 1996
The actor, who performed heartthrob Archie Andrews on the CW’s trendy Archie Comics adaptation Riverdale from 2017-2023, had a number of conferences and auditions for the position, which ‘producers and execs realized he was good for,’ the outlet reported.
Apa – who was seen in Prime Video’s One Quick Transfer final month – acquired a proper supply to play the half after Nowell’s property authorised the casting choice.
A variety of followers of music and movie speculated on Apa and the movie on X/Twitter and Reddit.
‘You need to respect KJ Apa’s hustle,’ one person stated. ‘The truth that he chased this position for nearly two years exhibits how a lot it means to him. If that’s the vitality he’s bringing to the display, this biopic goes to be one thing particular!’
One other fan stated, ‘KJ Apa actually went all in for this position! Two years of dedication and persistence? That type of ardour is precisely what a biopic like Chic wants.’
One fan urged the position may very well be a important fork within the highway of Apa’s profession within the wake of Riverdale wrapping up final yr.
‘Most of his Riverdale co stars have been doing fairly properly whereas he’s been MIA,’ the person stated. ‘This might both get him again on the monitor or lose it.’
One person urged Jakob Nowell ought to have crammed his late father’s sneakers within the biopic: ‘Prolly might have had his son play him…’
The Lengthy Seashore, California based mostly band – which built-in parts of ska, punk and reggae into its timeless materials – was pictured in NYC in 1995
The Auckland, New Zealand native, pictured in 2019, ‘has spent nearly two years chasing this position as soon as he was conscious of the venture’
Nowell’s son and new Chic singer Jakob Nowell is among the film’s govt producers. Pictured on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon in July
Followers on X/Twitter have been divided over the information of Apa’s casting because the late musical artist
A variety of Chic followers commented on the forthcoming movie on Reddit
A fan on Chic’s Reddit page requested of Apa, ‘Can he sing? Can he play guitar? Can he make us consider he’s Bradley Nowell for 90+ minutes? I’m genuinely asking. I do not know who this man is however my gf stated he performs Archie in Riverdale.’
One fan on the thread puzzled about how the storyline of the film will likely be laid out, with the band’s unconventional path to fame following Nowell’s dying.
‘Trustworthy query, what precisely will this film be about?’ the person stated. ‘In addition to medication and fame, Bradley appeared to stay a reasonably regular life. I simply can’t see them making a movie about an upcoming social gathering band.
‘They simply going to indicate them partying all the best way to high? Perhaps there are extra “facet tales” to Chic’s story, nonetheless I really feel I’ve learn and watched all of it and might’t see to how a film will likely be made.’
One other person in response predicted that the movie is ‘going to be the identical as each music “biopic,”‘ documenting parts resembling ‘the standard origins, the rise, the medication, the autumn, [and] the redemption.
‘It’d nonetheless be enjoyable to observe, like Bohemian Rhapsody, however there’s little or no new floor to cowl. I would have an interest to see it, as a result of for my part [there] could be very little official documentation of the band.’