2 weeks Ago
KJ Apa slated to portray late Sublime singer Bradley Nowell in new biopic Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] Fans reacted to news of casting on platforms such as Reddit and X/Twitter Bradley Nowell died at 28 of a heroin overdose on May 25, 1996 By Adam S. Levy For Dailymail.
com Published: 02:33, 20 September 2024 | Updated: 02:33, 20 September 2024 e-mail View comments KJ Apa is linked to play late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, who died at 28 of a heroin overdose in 1996, in a biopic directed by Justin Chon. The 27-year-old actor will play the singer-songwriter in a film that lists Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson , Nowell's widow Troy Dendekker and Nowell's son (and new Sublime singer) Jakob Nowell as executive producers, Deadline reported Thursday. Chon and Bobby Hundreds are writing the screenplay, which is based on a draft from Chris Mundy, for 3000 Pictures, according to the outlet.
The Long Beach, California based band- which integrated elements of ska, punk and reggae into its material - rose to fame in the mid-1990s with hits such as What I Got, Santeria and Wrong Way, with the bulk of their mainstream success coming after Bradley's passing in a San Francisco on May 25, 1996. The Auckland, New Zealand native 'has spent almost two years chasing this role once he was aware of the project,' insiders told the outlet. KJ Apa, 27, is linked to play late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell in a biopic directed by Justin Chon.
Pictured in LA earlier this year Nowell pictured onstage in NYC in April of 1996, about a month before he died of a heroin overdose on May 25, 1996 The actor, who played heartthrob Archie Andrews on the CW's modern Archie Comics adaptation Riverdale from 2017-2023 , had multiple meetings and auditions for the role, which 'producers and execs realized he was perfect for,' the outlet reported. Apa - who was seen in Prime Video’s One Fast Move last month - received a formal offer to play the part after Nowell's estate approved the casting selection. Read More Riverdale's KJ Apa and Clara Berry SPLIT after four years together A number of fans of music and film speculated on Apa and the film on X/Twitter and Reddit.
'You have to respect KJ Apa’s hustle,' one user said. 'The fact that he chased this role for almost two years shows how much it means to him. If that’s the energy he’s bringing to the screen, this biopic is going to be something special!' Another fan said, 'KJ Apa really went all in for this role! Two years of dedication and persistence? That kind of passion is exactly what a biopic like Sublime needs.
' One fan suggested the role could be a critical fork in the road of Apa's career in the wake of Riverdale wrapping up last year. 'Most of his Riverdale co stars have been doing pretty well while he’s been MIA,' the user said. 'This could either get him back on the track or lose it.
' One user suggested Jakob Nowell should have filled his late father's shoes in the biopic: 'Prolly could have had his son play him...
' The Long Beach, California based band - which integrated elements of ska, punk and reggae into its timeless material - was pictured in NYC in 1995 The Auckland, New Zealand native, pictured in 2019, 'has spent almost two years chasing this role once he was aware of the project' Nowell's son and new Sublime singer Jakob Nowell is one of the movie's executive producers. Pictured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in July Fans on X/Twitter were divided over the news of Apa's casting as the late musical artist A number of Sublime fans commented on the forthcoming film on Reddit A fan on Sublime's Reddit page asked of Apa, 'Can he sing? Can he play guitar? Can he make us believe he’s Bradley Nowell for 90+ minutes? I’m genuinely asking. I have no idea who this guy is but my gf said he plays Archie in Riverdale.
' One fan on the thread wondered about how the storyline of the movie will be laid out, with the band's unconventional path to fame following Nowell's death. 'Honest question, what exactly will this movie be about?' the user said. 'Besides drugs and fame, Bradley seemed to live a pretty normal life.
I just can't see them making a film about an upcoming party band. 'They just going to show them partying all the way to top? Maybe there are more "side stories" to Sublime's tale, however I feel I've read and watched it all and can't see to how a movie will be made.' Another user in response predicted that the film is 'going to be the same as every music "biopic,"' documenting elements such as 'the humble origins, the rise, the drugs, the fall, [and] the redemption.
'It might still be fun to watch, like Bohemian Rhapsody, but there's very little new ground to cover. I'd be interested to see it, because in my opinion [there] is very little official documentation of the band.' Reddit California Share or comment on this article: KJ Apa slated to portray late Sublime singer Bradley Nowell in new biopic e-mail Add comment.
