Later, Varchie! KJ Apa Will Play Amandla Stenberg's Boyfriend In The Hate U Give

KJ Apa has been cast in The Hate U Give, the upcoming movie adaptation of Angie Thomas's best-selling YA novel of the same name, Deadline reports.


Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, The Hate U Give is about a teen named Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), who witnesses her childhood companions unjust shooting at the hands of a cop. The story follows her as she balances life in her predominantly black neighborhood and at her predominantly white private school.


The Riverdale actor will play Starr's lovable and accommodating boyfriend Chris, and he's reportedly already darkened Archie Andrews's signature red locks for the part. Usual, Issa Rae, Regina Hall, and Anthony Mackie round out the film's star-studded cast.


Yet filming had already wrapped in November, the studio beyond the movie, Fox, opted to recast and reshoot the role of Chris in February immediately after videos of the original actor, Kian Lawley, making racially charged comments surfaced online.


Lawley apologized for the videos right after. “Words have power and can do damage. I own mine and I am sorry. I respect Fox’s choice to recast this role for The Hate U Give as it is a critical story, also it would not be suitable for me to be involved considering the actions of my past. I understand the impact and I have grown and learned since then. From right now on I will use my voice for positive change,” he mentioned in a statement to Variety.