Are you reading writer Mark Waid’s take on Archie and the Riverdale gang in the recently launched Archie series? Hand to gods, I never thought I would say this, but I’m digging an Archie comic something fierce, with a good deal of the credit going to Waid’s tight scripting and characterization.
That said, the comic doesn’t necessarily scream “live-action property.” I suppose that the CW, having already earned a ton of success with Arrow, The Flash, iZombie, and Legends of Tomorrow, thought, “Sure, Archie, why not? Sexy, sexy Archie.”
RIVERDALE CW promo
And while you’d be right to assume that the series, called Riverdale at this point, will feature Archie trying to decide which of two ladies whose company he enjoys more, it’s apparently also going to have a weird, X-Files vibe because, you know, that’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a comic book that features a high schooler who loves hamburgers more than people. Read the series description that’s found on the Archie Comics website:
The live-action series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.
Huh. Riverdale-meets-Sunnydale?
Luke Perry and Fred Andrews
What’s this have to do with former sexy heartthrob Luke Perry, he of Beverly Hills 90210 and Oz fame? Apparently, the actor who portrayed a troubled teen who looked to be in his 30s will be playing the part of Archie Andrews’ dad on Riverdale. According to the announcement over at Deadline, Luke Perry’s Fred Andrews will be “‘easygoing’ and the owner of a construction firm who is hoping his son, who worked for him all summer, will someday take over the family business.”
If nothing else, I’m intrigued. However, if Shannen Doherty isn’t involved somehow, we riot.
Also, I do believe we already were treated to a live-action Archie adventure in the 1990 Archie: Return to Riverdale and Back Again starring the dude from Reba (see below). A high bar to hurdle, CW. Make this happen.
CW’s Riverdale pilot will hit sometime this fall.
[Sources: ArchieComics.com and Deadline]