KJ Apa Set to Star as James Stewart in Upcoming Biopic JIMMY
KJ Apa is stepping into the shoes of a Hollywood legend. The Riverdale star has officially signed on to play legendary actor James Stewart in an upcoming biopic titled Jimmy. The film will explore Stewart’s journey from small-town Pennsylvania to Oscar-winning Hollywood actor and World War II hero.
Apa shared his excitement about the role, saying: “I have always been a huge James Stewart fan and feel so honored I get to bring his story to life. As someone from New Zealand, I’ve long admired that generation of American men who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty.
“It is important to me to give back to a country that has given me so much, and what better way to do that than by honoring a man who served it with great honor.”
Directed and produced by Aaron Burns, Jimmy will chronicle Stewart’s early acting career, his Academy Award win for The Philadelphia Story, and his brave service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
The story continues with his post-war return to Hollywood and his iconic role in It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra, who will be portrayed by Max Casella.
The film also features Jason Alexander as Louis B. Mayer, Sarah Drew as Hedda Hopper, Julian Works as Second Lieutenant Martinez, and Jen Lilley as Stewart’s wife, Gloria. Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, is executive producing the project and voiced her support for Apa’s casting.
“My family and I are delighted and excited that KJ Apa has agreed to play my father in this film,” she said. “In addition to his considerable acting skills, KJ’s enthusiasm for the project will only add to the energy and depth he will bring to the role.”
Burns expressed how Stewart’s real-life legacy inspired the film, saying, “Jimmy Stewart is universally beloved as an actor. He truly embodied the everyman. We all know him from It’s A Wonderful Life, but as I discovered his real-life story as a World War II military hero, I realized Jimmy’s life makes for an amazing movie.
“I’m truly honored that Kelly Stewart-Harcourt and the Stewart family have entrusted Burns & Co. to share Jimmy with the world, and I’m excited to see KJ Apa and the rest of our amazing cast bring this story to life.”
Scripted by Justin Strawhand, the film will be produced by Strawhand, Burns, David Cook, Angela Galgani Sullivan, and John Norton of Redted Media. Executive producers include Andre Caraco, Jack McClintock, Bob Gordon, Sam Juergens, Amy K. Mitchell, Edwina Forkin, Kip Konwiser, Walter Krumm III, and Brian Williams.
Principal photography kicks off in West Cork, Ireland, on September 1, with the support of the Screen Ireland Nationwide Fund. Jimmy is set for a U.S. theatrical release in November 2026.
Before that, Apa will be seen next in The Map That Leads to You, a romantic drama directed by Lasse Hallström and co-starring Madelyn Cline, premiering August 20 on Prime Video.
Source: Variety