Sublime Biopic Casts Riverdale Star KJ Apa as Bradley Nowell

The authorized Sublime biopic has tapped Riverdale star KJ Apa for the role of late founding vocalist Bradley Nowell, reports Variety.

Justin Chon (Gook) will direct and co-write the screenplay with Bobby Kim, founder of the streetwear brand The Hundreds, based on Chris Mundy’s original draft. The biopic is being developed at Sony’s 3000 Pictures.

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Original Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson are executive producing alongside Nowell’s widow Troy and son Jakob.

Nowell passed away from a heroin overdose in May 1996, just as Sublime was breaking into the mainstream with their self-titled album, which spawned hits like “What I Got,” “Santeria,” and “Doin’ Time.”

In 2009, Gaugh and Wilson teamed up with singer Rome Ramirez and began touring as Sublime with Rome. The group released their final album and embarked on a farewell tour this year with none of the original Sublime members.

Earlier this year, Gaugh and Wilson officially reunited Sublime with Jakob Nowell standing in for his father, In April, they played the main stage at Coachella. The band has a few upcoming tour dates and festival appearances on the schedule; get tickets here.

Outside of his breakout role as Archie Andrews in the CW series Riverdale, Apa recently starred in the motorcycle film One Fast Move and is set to lead the upcoming rom-com Falling.

Editor’s Note: Read our recent interview with Jakob Nowell and Rome Ramirez about fronting the different iterations of Sublime.