Riverdale Star K.J. Apa Replacing Kian Lawley in The Hate U Give

One person’s misdeed is another’s gain, as Riverdale star K.J. Apa is set to supplant YouTube star/actor Kian Lawley in the forthcoming adaptation of Angie Thomas’ novel The Hate U Give, as reported by Deadline.

Apa assumes the role of protagonist Starr’s (Amandla Stenberg, Everything, Everything) boyfriend, Chris, after Lawley was dropped from the film when a racially insensitive video of his resurfaced. Reshooting of Lawley’s scenes commenced on Monday after Apa arrived in Atlanta. The reshoot is expected to take place over the course of a week. For the role, Apa had to darken his signature Archie red locks.

At this time, a release date for the film is unknown after the Lawley incident.

Apa’s involvement in the Black Lives Matter-themed film comes at a time where his star is on the rise after the breakout success of Riverdale (which was recently renewed for a third season). Following this film, he will star in the Bill Bindley-directed high school drama The Last Summer about a group of high school friends during the last summer before college.

Unlike Apa, Lawley’s once-rising career has taken a turn for the worse, as not only was he fired from the film but also dropped by powerhouse agency CAA.

Hopefully, Lawley can make good and gain back some traction in his career as Apa continues to make his way up the Hollywood ladder.