NEED TO KNOW
The producers behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie are bringing Archie Comics to movie theaters.
On Wednesday, Aug. 20, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Deadline reported that filmmaking duo Christopher Miller and Phil Lord are producing a feature-length adaptation of the beloved comic book series alongside former 20th Century Studios executive Emma Watts.
Tom King, a comic book writer who is credited as a writer on next year’s Supergirl, is adapting Archie comics for a big screen release, while Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater will co-produce the movie.
“We are longtime fans of Archie, Veronica, Betty, and the gang in all of their iterations,” Lord, 50, and Miller, 49, said in a statement obtained by multiple outlets. “When we heard Tom King’s take on the classic material, we instantly thought it made sense as an event movie for all audiences — both lifelong fans and a whole new generation. We’re so excited to bring these beloved characters to the big screen.”
Archie Comics appeared to confirm the news when it shared Deadline’s article regarding the new movie to the brand’s X account. “Breaking news: An Archie Comics movie is on the way!” the account wrote.
DIC Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection
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Archie Comics began publishing stories related to its title character Archie Andrews and the cast of characters surrounding him in the fictional town Riverdale in 1941, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Modern audiences are most familiar with the fictional town and its characters through the CW’s hit TV series Riverdale, which functioned as a modern take on the comic book series and originated as a mystery series centered on the death of a teenager in the fictional town.
KJ Apa starred as Archie in the series, with Lili Reinhart costarring as Betty Cooper; Camila Mendes and Cole Sprouse also appeared as Veronica Lodge and Jughead Jones, respectively. Riverdale ran on the CW from 2017 to 2023.
Jack Rowand/The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection
No plot details regarding Lord and Miller’s take on the Archie property were immediately available. The filmmaking duo are currently working on Project Hail Mary, their upcoming science fiction movie with Ryan Gosling based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name.
The pair are also still working on Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the conclusion to Sony’s animated Spider-Verse trilogy, which was originally scheduled to release in theaters in 2024. That movie is now expected to premiere June 4, 2027.
