Fox has announced its plans of putting Archie Comics to life with a contemporary one-hour drama titled "Riverdale," following the story of "Archie" characters.
TV producer Greg Berlanti, who worked on The CW's "Arrow" and "The Flash" and NBC's "The Mysteries of Laura," will be bringing popular comic book characters such as Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge as well as Josie and the Pussycats to the small screen.
Warner Bros. TV will be producing "Riverdale" in collaboration with Berlanti Productions. Penned by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the live-action drama has been titled after the fictional town where majority of the comics' characters live. It will also be used as the main setting for the show, which will be set in the present time.
"This is a historic moment for Archie Comics, and we couldn't be happier to partner with Fox, Warner Bros. and Greg Berlanti to bring our characters to television," Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO Jon Goldwater said in a statement, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. "Greg and Roberto are experts when it comes to making great, compelling television and bringing beloved comic book creations to life on the screen. They're the perfect team to welcome viewers to 'Riverdale'."
The series will follow the story of Archie and his friends as they explore the surreal incidents in their small town — "the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome façade," as Deadline stated.
In terms of characters, the TV adaptation will still highlight the love triangle of Archie, Betty and Veronica and will also put forward other major characters such as Archie's best pal Jughead Jones and rival Reggie Mantle.
"Riverdale" marks Aguirre-Sacasa's first project this season after having spent three seasons writing for Fox's "Glee." He also worked as a writer for the remake of "Carrie" in 2013 and the Broadway-styled "American Psycho."
