KJ Apa has signed on to star as James Stewart in “Jimmy,” an upcoming biopic about the “It’s a Wonderful Life” legend.
“I have always been a huge James Stewart fan and feel so honored I get to bring his story to life,” Apa, best known for his role as Archie on the CW’s “Riverdale,” said Tuesday morning. “As someone from New Zealand, I’ve long admired that generation of American men who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty. It is important to me to give back to a country that has given me so much, and what better way to do that than by honoring a man who served it with great honor.”
Apa will next be seen opposite Madelyn Cline in “The Map That Leads to You,” Lasse Hallström’s romantic drama premiering on Prime Video on Aug. 20.
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The “Jimmy” ensemble also includes Jason Alexander as Louis B. Mayer; Max Casella as Frank Capra; Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper; Julian Works as Second Lieutenant Martinez; and Jen Lilley as Stewart’s wife Gloria.
The movie chronicles Pennsylvania-native Stewart’s rise in Hollywood, including winning an Academy Award for his work in “The Philadelphia Story,” before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a combat pilot at the beginning of World War II. Not long after his return home, he starred in Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” in 1946.
Stewart’s daughter Kelly Stewart-Harcourt serves as executive producer of the film. “My family and I are delighted and excited that KJ Apa has agreed to play my father in this film,” she said. “In addition to his considerable acting skills, KJ’s enthusiasm for the project will only add to the energy and depth he will bring to the role.”
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in West Cork, Ireland, on Sept. 1 with support from the Screen Ireland Nationwide Fund. Burns & Co. Productions has set a U.S. theatrical release for November 2026.
“Jimmy Stewart is universally beloved as an actor. He truly embodied the everyman,” director and producer Aaron Burns said. “We all know him from ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’ but as I discovered his real-life story as a World War II military hero, I realized Jimmy’s life makes for an amazing movie. I’m truly honored that Kelly Stewart-Harcourt and the Stewart family have entrusted Burns & Co. to share ‘Jimmy’ with the world, and I’m excited to see KJ Apa and the rest of our amazing cast bring this story to life.”
In addition to Burns, Justin Strawhand, who wrote the script, will be producing alongside David Cook, Angela Galgani Sullivan and John Norton of Redted Media.
Executive producers also include former Sony executive Andre Caraco, Jack McClintock, Bob Gordon, Sam Juergens, Amy K. Mitchell, Edwina Forkin, Kip Konwiser, Walter Krumm III and Brian Williams.
Apa is repped by UTA, Luber Roklin Entertainment, Mandy Jacobsen, Red 11 Management, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein. Alexander is repped by Innovative Artists Entertainment, Yumkas Entertainment; attorneys are Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham. Max Casella is repped by Innovative Artists & Ellipsis Entertainment Group.
Drew is represented by Innovative Artists, Vault Entertainment, and Yorn Levine. Works is repped by Joe S. Montifiore at Rafterman Media, Jennifer Allen at Viewpoint and attorney Jeff Bernstein at Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jamie Levine Sample & Klein. Lilley is managed by Mitch Clem Management and repped by Artists & Representatives, attorney is Meyer & Downs.
Burns & Co. is represented by Sam Curphey, Esq.
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