Sublime Biopic to Star Riverdale’s KJ Apa, Director Revealed

Riverdale and One Fast Move actor KJ Apa has been tapped to star in the planned Sublime biopic, with the Blue Bayou director attached to direct. 

Sublime, formed in 1988, is a band from Long Beach, California, famously known for combining different musical genres including reggae, punk, ska, and more. The band’s timeless tracks include “Pawn Shop,” “What I Got,” “Badfish,” “Caress Me Down,” “Rivers Of Babylon,” “Summertime,” and “Garden Grove,” among others. 

Sublime currently consists of Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh, and Jakob Nowell. Jakob joined in 2023 as the band’s frontman, succeeding his late father Bradley Nowell’s role as the band’s original lead. Bradley passed away in 1996. He was 28. 

According to Deadline, Apa will portray Bradley in the biopic. He is said to have spent over a year pursuing the role, which he ultimately got due to his “dedication to the part.” The feature is currently in development. 

Who else is involved in the Sublime biopic?

Hailing from 3000 Pictures, the biopic will be directed by Justin Chon, who will also write the screenplay — based on Chris Mundy’s draft — with screenwriter Bobby Hundreds.

The producers on board in the project are Chernin Entertainment’s Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and David Ready. The band members Gaugh and Wilson will executive produce alongside Troy Nowell and Jakob on behalf of Bradley’s estate. Additional executive producers are Francis Lawrence and Jamie Spetner.

Known for his role as Archie Andrews in The CW’s Riverdale, the actor — who first gained recognition in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street — also starred in The Cul de Sac, A Dog’s Purpose, The Hate U Give, The Last Summer, I Still Believe, Dead Reckoning, and Songbird. 

His latest project is in the Kelly Blatz-directed action film One Fast Move, where the actor starred alongside Eric Dane.