Casting backlash in Hollywood is no new thing when it comes to high-profile projects involving iconic characters, celebrities, and historical figures, and sometimes the public can reach a verdict on an actor’s involvement without ever seeing the finished product. In August 2025, news began to spread that Riverdale alum KJ Apa would be stepping into the legendary shoes of famed leading man James Stewart, one of the most recognizable and prominent performers of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Naturally, both support and skepticism plagued Apa in light of the announcement.
Many complaints were aimed at the New Zealand star and his acting chops (or lack thereof, according to some), with naysayers questioning whether or not Apa has the range to properly honor the life and legacy of the charismatic Stewart. Those who watched Apa masterfully handle all the over-the-top chaos and endless campiness in Riverdale throughout its seven-season run know that he is more than capable of rising to the challenge of bringing Stewart to life.
KJ Apa Masterfully Maneuvers All the Chaos & Camp of ‘Riverdale’
Tackling the lead role of one of the comic book world’s most timeless characters is no easy feat, yet KJ Apa quickly won audiences over when he appeared as the iconic, red-headed high school jock Archie Andrews in the mystery teen drama Riverdale. While the first season of the famous guilty pleasure honored its original source material and infused it with a dark and eerie twist, the ensuing seasons rapidly went off the rails, and each outlandish storyline got more and more bonkers than the last. The CW series swiftly garnered quite the reputation as one of the wildest teen soap operas on air (and arguably of all time).
From joining the mob to impress his girlfriend’s father, viciously getting mauled by a bear (and somehow surviving), and randomly discovering he has superpowers, Riverdale‘s Archie became the polar opposite of the squeaky-clean image the character had in the comics. The juicy teen drama never had a problem dialing up the insanity and camp factor in its 137 episodes, with audiences tuning in week after week to see what fresh absurdity awaited Archie and the gang next as they squared off against cults, aliens, witches, and parallel universes.
Throughout it all, Apa seemed to take the craziness of the show in stride and remained unflappable as Archie, despite all the wild storylines and character developments that were constantly thrown his way, proving that he’s more than capable of treading into foreign acting waters and knocking it out of the park. Plenty of decorated Hollywood performers got their start on teen shows like Michelle Williams in Dawson’s Creek, Austin Butler in The Carrie Diaries, and Zendaya in Disney’s K.C. Undercover, and they have each managed to blossom into serious actors in their own respective rights; Apa is certainly equipped to follow in their paths.
Apa Can Easily Defy Naysayers in the Jimmy Stewart Biopic
If Tinseltown has taught us anything over the last few decades, it’s that sometimes casting against type can be a genius move. The internet famously had a conniption when heartthrob Heath Ledger took on the role of the Joker in The Dark Knight, and, despite the initial pushback from fans, he served up arguably the greatest portrayal of the legendary villain and one that posthumously earned him an Oscar. Likewise, the world felt Charlize Theron was far too beautiful to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, but she, too, defied expectations and also walked away with the coveted statuette.
KJ Apa seems to be laser-focused on capturing James Stewart’s trademark drawl and alluring screen persona in the upcoming biopic tentatively named Jimmy, which will chronicle Stewart’s rise to superstardom in the ’40s and ’50s as well as explore his time in the U.S. Air Force and subsequent cinematic achievements post-war. When Variety first revealed that Apa was tapped to play the silver-screen staple, the actor said of the thrilling opportunity: “I have always been a huge James Stewart fan and feel so honored I get to bring his story to life,” before further expressing:
“As someone from New Zealand, I’ve long admired that generation of American men who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty. It is important to me to give back to a country that has given me so much, and what better way to do that than by honoring a man who served it with great honor?”
In a recent appearance on the talk show Today with Jenna and Friends, Apa discussed how he was preparing to transform himself into Stewart, saying how he was “ecstatic” to learn he nabbed the role before calling it a “huge honor” to pay tribute to the celebrated leading man. “His voice, I think, was one of his most distinct characteristics, and his physicality. He was a tall guy. He was a little bit lanky. So, focusing on all that is definitely gonna be important.” It seems as though the project is the perfect chance for Apa to showcase his acting prowess, with the star further saying:
“I mean, he’s such a huge American icon. I’ve loved all of his movies — It’s A Wonderful Life, of course, And to play someone that I respect and a man of that generation, yeah, it’s a dream for me as an actor.”
Joining Apa in the biopic are famous faces like Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) as GM’s studio head Louis B. Maye, Jen Lilley (Days of Our Lives) as Stewart’s wife Gloria, Sarah Drew (Grey’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 extremely important person: Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, who will also be serving as an executive producer.
“My family and I are delighted and excited that KJ Apa has agreed to play my father in this film. In addition to his considerable acting skills, KJ’s enthusiasm for the project will only add to the energy and depth he will bring to the role.”
Stream Riverdale on Netflix.
