The alternative rock band Sublime has had a biopic in the works for a while now and the production just found one of its key stars. KJ Apa (“Riverdale”) has been cast to play the band’s late lead singer, Bradley Nowell.
This film will be directed and co-written by Justin Chon (“Blue Bayou”) with Bobby Hundreds. Their screenplay is based on an original draft by Chris Mundy (“Ozark”). The Sony-owned, 3000 Pictures is developing the project.
Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and David Ready are producing for Chernin Entertainment. Alongside original Sublime band members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson. Nowell’s wife, Troy Nowell, and son, Jakob Nowell are executive producing with Francis Lawrence.
Originally formed in 1988, Sublime enjoyed monumental success during the 1990s. Unfortunately, lead singer Nowell lost his battle with heroin addiction in 1996. In 2009, Gaugh and Wilson began working with a new lead singer Rome Ramirez. The project was dubbed Sublime With Rome and toured until 2024.
Sublime With Rome went through several lineup changes. Eventually going on a farewell tour earlier this year, with none of the original members. Now, Gaugh and Wilson have teamed up with Bradley’s son to perform as Sublime, and recently played the main stage at Coachella.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about the Sublime biopic as they become available.
