The long-gestating Sublime biopic has cast its lead actor: KJ Apa will play the role of the late singer and bandleader Bradley Nowell, Deadline reports. Blue Bayou filmmaker Justin Chon is also taking over as the movie’s director, and he’s writing the screenplay with Bobby Hundreds. Chon and Hundreds will base the script on an original draft by writer Chris Mundy.
When the as-yet-untitled Sublime movie was announced, in 2022, Francis Lawrence was revealed as the director, though he is now listed as an executive producer. Original Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson are also slated to executive produce, alongside Nowell’s son, Jakob, and his widow, Troy, on behalf of the late singer’s estate.
KJ Apa, who is best known for playing Archie on the CW series Riverdale, has reportedly been pursuing the role of Nowell for two years. The actor is also a musician; he released his debut album, Clocks, in 2021.