Phil Lord and Chris Miller to produce new Archie Comics live-action film for Universal

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the filmmakers behind Spider-Verse, The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, are set to produce a live-action adaptation of Archie Comics.

The film will be made under their first-look deal with Universal Pictures alongside Aditya Sood, president of their company Lord Miller. Comic book writer Tom King is attached to write the screenplay, though no plot details have been revealed.

In its 85-year history, Archie Comics has sold more than 3 billion copies worldwide, translated into dozens of languages. Its characters, including Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats and Katy Keene, have appeared on screens in multiple adaptations.

Recent portrayals include the CW series Riverdale, and Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Archies.

“We are longtime fans of Archie, Veronica, Betty, and the gang in all of their iterations,” said Lord and Miller. “When we heard Tom King’s take on the classic material, we instantly thought it made sense as an event movie for all audiences — both lifelong fans and a whole new generation. We’re so excited to bring these beloved characters to the big screen.”

Emma Watts, who developed the project with King, will produce the untitled feature along with Archie Comics publisher Jon Goldwater. Universal executives Britt Hennemuth and Christine Sun will oversee for the studio.