'Archie' comics to get Hollywood adaptation; Indian fans say Suhana Khan and Agastya Nanda's Bollywood version already exists

Archie Andrews and his friends are set to take over the big screen, this time, with 'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse' makers backing the production. Universal Pictures has announced a new live-action adaptation of the 85-year-old Archie Comics franchise, with writer Tom King, known for writing 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' and 'Lanterns', is on board to pen the screenplay and Craig Gillespie set to direct. The project will be produced by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Emma Watts, alongside Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater.Slated for its big-screen release next summer, the film will reportedly be a reimagined version of the beloved comic series for a fresh audience. While plot details remain under wraps, the story will reportedly take the audience back to Riverdale and revolve around the high school hijinks of Archie, Veronica, and Betty. However, unlike the hit TV adaptation 'Riverdale', the upcoming film will reportedly be family-friendly.“We are longtime fans of Archie, Veronica, Betty, and the gang in all of their iterations. When we heard Tom King’s take on the classic material, we instantly thought it made sense as an event movie for all audiences—both lifelong fans and a whole new generation. We’re so excited to bring these beloved characters to the big screen,” Lord and Miller said in a joint statement as reported by Deadline. This won’t be the first time Archie characters have hit theatres. Universal’s 2001 release 'Josie and the Pussycats' failed to make a mark at the box office, grossing under $15 million in the US markets.Interestingly, the news has sparked reactions in India, where fans were quick to point out that Bollywood already delivered its own Archie-inspired story last year with Zoya Akhtar’s 'The Archies'. Starring Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, in the lead roles, the film reimagined the gang in a 1960s Anglo-Indian town. Although the movie didn't have a big-screen release, it had its debut on an OTT platform. "Why not just put the Bollywood Archies movie in theaters instead?" asked a fan. Another said, "We dont need this. We already have the bollywood Archies movie."The news about the new Archie Comics move was first reported by TheInSneider.