Archie Andrews and his Riverdale High School friends Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge were introduced in the 1940s to a different generation. Still, after serving the reading interests of several generations of young, they are anything but retro.
In an email interview to IANS, Archie Comics CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater discussed Archie and Bollywood.
“For, “Riverdale is a city that exists today”. That meant diversity, a bit more conflict, and real-world drama. That means the people populating the town have to feel like today’s world. That means diversity. That means a bit more conflict and real-world drama,” Jon was quoted as saying.
Earlier in March, it was reported that Archie Comics was getting a Bollywood treatment as the beloved characters from Riverdale High will soon be seen in a live-action, theatrical film.
The quartet of Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead will be reimagined with an all-Indian cast.
Archie Comics, in partnership with Graphic India, will put a desi twist to the characters created by Bob Montana and John L Goldwater, a statement read.
On asking about the Bollywood venture, Jon said, “There’s an audience there (India). There’s a hunger for new takes on these characters and different versions. Honestly, it’s a no-brainer. It’s a perfect match! The idea of Archie in Bollywood is the kind of thing you hear and just say, ‘Yes, we have to do that’.”
Archie Comics are published in over 17 languages in more than 55 countries, including India, where their merchandise is licensed by Animation International India.
Recently, Animation International India hosted the first ever Doraemon Licensee Expo 2018. With an array of products ranging from chocolates to watches, plush toys, to feeding bottles, Doraemon is a popular toon companion for kids.
Asked about the film’s progress, Goldwater was quoted “We’re in the early days, but it’s a hugely exciting idea and we’re so lucky to be partnering with such a wonderful team at Graphic India. The Archie characters are insanely popular around the world, especially in India, so it’s long overdue — and we can’t wait to share more with our amazing fans.”
The company already have a TV show titled “Riverdale”.
“The Archie universe is a tapestry of stories and takes, and ‘Riverdale’ is one version of the characters — a hugely popular one, a cultural phenomenon. What Nick (Spencer) and Marguerite (Sauvage) are doing, starting with 700 (Archie’s 700th issue), is taking the elements of the Archie series that have worked — the friendships and the humour”, Jon was quoted.
Talking about the crossover plans, Jon was quoted, “There aren’t any immediate plans for a crossover right now, but who knows what the future will hold? As our track record shows, we’re always game if the idea is good.”
As of now, there are a lot of different things in play, and some of them involve animation.
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.
Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and many more.
Archie Comics have sold billions of comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film, and music.
(With inputs from IANS)
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