KJ Apa has been lined up to play the late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell in a new biopic.

The 27-year-old actor is set to star in a film about the musician who died aged 28 from a heroin overdose in 1996.

The movie will be directed by Justin Chon, while the screenplay is being written by Chon and Bobby Hundreds based on a draft from Chris Mundy.

Original Sublime bandmates Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson will act as executive producers, alongside Nowell’s widow Troy Dendekker and his son Jakob Nowell – who recently joined the band.

The biopic is in development at the Sony-owned 3000 Pictures.

Sublime is a California-based band that rose to fame during the mid-90s with a fusion of punk rock with reggae, ska and heavy metal.

The group’s hits included Santeria, Wrong Way and What I Got.

Deadline has reported New Zealand-born Apa has spent “almost two years chasing the role” after being made aware of the project.

It is believed Apa received an offer to play the role after Nowell’s estate approved the casting choice.

Apa played heartthrob Archie Andrews in the hit drama series Riverdale, while his movie credits include The Hate U Give, Songbird and The Last Summer plus the upcoming romcom Falling.

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