We’re used to comic adaptations, but they usually involve superheroes. However there’s one comic that’s been running since the early 1940s which hasn’t ever been adapted for a live-action, big screen take – Archie Comics. The reason is that it’s not usually action-packed, instead following the lives of a group of young people in a small American town (although Archie has had a superhero reinvention in the past).
They are going to try and bring some action to Archie though, as Deadline reports that Warner Bros. has signed up for a live-action movie, and the first outing will possibly be based on ‘Afterlife with Archie’, which throws zombies into the comics’ mix.
A deal closed last night to bring this latest iteration of the longstanding and iconic comic book series to the screen. Roy Lee and Dan Lin (Gangster Squad; Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) are producing, with Pitch Perfect’s Jason Moore directing and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Carrie; Glee: Thanksgiving) writing.
The story will take place in a modern day version of Riverdale. At the moment, it’s believed that the screenplay will follow a flesh-eating plague that sweeps through the hallowed hallways of this iconic high school. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is also the scribe behind the Afterlife with Archie comic book series, which balances its gore with ‘elements that are quintessentially Archie’.
Archie first appeared in comic books in 1941, and has attempted to stay true to the changing times ever since. In 2010, the series introduced its first gay character, Kevin Keller . There have been a number of animated series based on the property, and there was a live action 1990 TV movie.