Casting backlash in Hollywood is not any new factor in terms of high-profile tasks involving iconic characters, celebrities, and historic figures, and generally the general public can attain a verdict on an actor’s involvement with out ever seeing the completed product. In August 2025, information started to unfold that Riverdale alum KJ Apa can be moving into the legendary sneakers of famed main man James Stewart, probably the most recognizable and outstanding performers of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Naturally, each assist and skepticism plagued Apa in mild of the announcement.
Many complaints had been aimed on the New Zealand star and his performing chops (or lack thereof, based on some), with naysayers questioning whether or not or not Apa has the vary to correctly honor the life and legacy of the charismatic Stewart. Those that watched Apa masterfully deal with all of the over-the-top chaos and infinite campiness in Riverdale all through its seven-season run know that he’s greater than able to rising to the problem of bringing Stewart to life.
KJ Apa Masterfully Maneuvers All of the Chaos & Camp of ‘Riverdale’
Tackling the lead function of one of many comedian ebook world’s most timeless characters is not any straightforward feat, but KJ Apa rapidly gained audiences over when he appeared as the long-lasting, red-headed highschool jock Archie Andrews within the thriller teen drama Riverdale. Whereas the primary season of the well-known responsible pleasure honored its unique supply materials and infused it with a darkish and eerie twist, the following seasons quickly went off the rails, and every outlandish storyline received increasingly bonkers than the final. The CW sequence swiftly garnered fairly the repute as one of many wildest teen cleaning soap operas on air (and arguably of all time).
From becoming a member of the mob to impress his girlfriend’s father, viciously getting mauled by a bear (and someway surviving), and randomly discovering he has superpowers, Riverdale‘s Archie turned the polar reverse of the squeaky-clean picture the character had within the comics. The juicy teen drama by no means had an issue dialing up the madness and camp consider its 137 episodes, with audiences tuning in week after week to see what contemporary absurdity awaited Archie and the gang subsequent as they squared off towards cults, aliens, witches, and parallel universes.
All through all of it, Apa appeared to take the craziness of the present in stride and remained unflappable as Archie, regardless of all of the wild storylines and character developments that had been always thrown his method, proving that he is greater than able to treading into international performing waters and knocking it out of the park. Loads of embellished Hollywood performers received their begin on teen reveals like Michelle Williams in Dawson’s Creek, Austin Butler in The Carrie Diaries, and Zendaya in Disney’s Ok.C. Undercover, they usually have every managed to blossom into severe actors in their very own respective rights; Apa is definitely outfitted to observe of their paths.
Apa Can Simply Defy Naysayers within the Jimmy Stewart Biopic
If Tinseltown has taught us something over the previous few a long time, it is that generally casting towards kind is usually a genius transfer. The web famously had a conniption when heartthrob Heath Ledger took on the function of the Joker in The Darkish Knight, and, regardless of the preliminary pushback from followers, he served up arguably the best portrayal of the legendary villain and one which posthumously earned him an Oscar. Likewise, the world felt Charlize Theron was far too lovely to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, however she, too, defied expectations and likewise walked away with the coveted statuette.
KJ Apa appears to be laser-focused on capturing James Stewart’s trademark drawl and alluring display persona within the upcoming biopic tentatively named Jimmy, which is able to chronicle Stewart’s rise to superstardom within the ’40s and ’50s in addition to discover his time within the U.S. Air Power and subsequent cinematic achievements post-war. When Selection first revealed that Apa was tapped to play the silver-screen staple, the actor stated of the thrilling alternative: “I’ve at all times been an enormous James Stewart fan and really feel so honored I get to convey his story to life,” earlier than additional expressing:
“As somebody from New Zealand, I’ve lengthy admired that technology of American males who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of obligation. You will need to me to provide again to a rustic that has given me a lot, and what higher method to do this than by honoring a person who served it with nice honor?”
In a latest look on the speak present Right this moment with Jenna and Associates, Apa mentioned how he was making ready to remodel himself into Stewart, saying how he was “ecstatic” to study he nabbed the function earlier than calling it a “big honor” to pay tribute to the celebrated main man. “His voice, I believe, was certainly one of his most distinct traits, and his physicality. He was a tall man. He was a bit of bit lanky. So, specializing in all that’s undoubtedly gonna be vital.” It appears as if the challenge is the proper likelihood for Apa to showcase his performing prowess, with the star additional saying:
“I imply, he’s such an enormous American icon. I’ve beloved all of his films — It’s A Great Life, after all, And to play somebody that I respect and a person of that technology, yeah, it’s a dream for me as an actor.”
Becoming a member of Apa within the biopic are well-known faces like Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) as GM’s studio head Louis B. Maye, Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives) as Stewart’s spouse Gloria, Sarah Drew (Gray’s Anatomy) as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Max Casella (Boardwalk Empire) as Frank Capra, and Julian Works (9-1-1: Lonestar) as Second Lieutenant Martinez. Apa’s casting has already gotten the seal of approval from one extraordinarily vital individual: Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, who may even be serving as an government producer.
“My household and I are delighted and excited that KJ Apa has agreed to play my father on this movie. Along with his appreciable performing expertise, KJ’s enthusiasm for the challenge will solely add to the power and depth he’ll convey to the function.”
Stream Riverdale on Netflix.