Archie Comics Teaming Up with Graphic India to Develop Live-Action Bollywood Adaptation
Archie Comics is partnering up with Graphic India to produce the first live-action Bollywood film based on the iconic Archie characters. Yes, Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Moose, and the rest of the Archie gang will be reimagined with an all-Indian cast.
Today Archie Comics sent out a press release to media stating that they have partnered up with Graphic India, one of India’s leading character entertainment companies. They will be partnering on developing a live-action theatrical film based on the Archie Comics, but set in India.
The Bollywood-style Archie film will be the first international comic to be adapted for Indian cinema. As of today the production is in early stages and a release date is yet to be announced.
The press release explains that the companies have begun taking the first steps by working on the script, which they intend to be a modern and entertaining. An excerpt from the release:
The production, which will be the first international comic to be translated for Indian screens, is in the early stages with an official release date to be announced. The companies have begun taking initial steps toward a modern, entertaining screenplay that will surely resonate with longtime Archie fans in India and beyond. The Bollywood film will reimagine the classic characters like Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Moose and Jughead as Indians and will feature all the classic elements of the hugely popular comic book series.
Archie Comic’s CEO Jon Goldwater and Graphic India’s CEO & Co-Founder Sharad Devarajan are excited to bring Archie and his gang to Indian movie-goers. Archie Comics has had worldwide appeal for many years, and it is a huge moment for Archie Comics and Bollywood to take on this adaptation. Bollywood is no stranger to developing films from Western IP’s, however, very few of those films have international appeal. This adaptation of the beloved Archie Comics has the potential to become an international hit, but most importantly an Indian phenomenon. Devarajan said:
“Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead have been a source of inspiration for numerous Bollywood films over the years, and now it’s time to take them fully into Bollywood in an exciting new twist of a story that we have planned. These characters have held a special place in the hearts of Indians for decades and we have no doubt that the new Indian cast of Archie and the gang will be an exciting moment for the country.”
Archie Comics has sold over 2 billion copies worldwide and is published in more than 17 languages in over 55 countries. There have been multiple adaptation of Archie Comics.
Archie Comics is currently enjoying great success with the CW’s Riverdale which currently airs on the CW and Netflix. They are also developing an adaptation of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Source: Archie Comics.
