'Riverdale' Star Charles Melton Joins Michael Shannon, Alexander Ludwig in 'Swing' (Exclusive)

“Riverdale” star Charles Melton has closed a deal to star in “Swing” opposite Michael Shannon and Alexander Ludwig, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.

Michael Mailer is directing the rowing drama, written by Vojin Gjaja. “Swing” follows a group of friends and rowing teammates during their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999. When an army vet takes over as their coach, their entire lives are changed.

Gjaja wrote the screenplay based on his own experiences as an oarsman at Columbia University. Shannon is also serving as a producer on the film, alongside Robert Ogden Barnum, Lucas Jarach and Byron Wetzel.

Also Read: 'Riverdale' Season 2: New Cast Member Was Told Not to Watch the Show

Melton is best known for his role in CW’s “Riverdale” as Reggie Mantle. He also most recently starred in “The Sun Is Also a Star” opposite Yara Shahidi, as well as “American Horror Story” and “Glee.” He will next be seen in “Bad Boys For Life,” alongside Ludwig, Will Smith, Vanessa Hudgens, Martin Lawrence and Kate del Castillo.

Melton is represented by CAA and Untitled.

Also Read: 'Riverdale' Showrunner on Fred's 'Heroic Death,' Honoring Luke Perry With Shannen Doherty Cameo

Shannon most recently starred in “Knives Out” and “State Like Sleep” and will next be seen in “The Quarry.” He is represented by CAA, Wetzel Entertainment Group and Narrative.

Ludwig will next be seen in “Midway” and is reprising his role on “Vikings” when it returns for season 6 in December. He is repped by Untitled and UTA.

How do 'Riverdale' Characters Compare to Their Comic Book Versions? (Photos)

We're breaking down how close to the original comic book characters are to Archie and the gang of The CW's "Riverdale."
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Archie Andrews

"America's typical teenager" is just as much a heartthrob in the comics as he is on The CW's "Riverdale." He's constantly keeping Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge in a love triangle, but he does mean well. His loyalty and willingness to help his friends portrayed in the comics is definitely stressed in the show, especially when he's guilty for things he has no control over, like stopping his dad's attacker.
Archie Comics/The CW
Betty Cooper

In the comics, Archie shows more love interest in Betty than he has so far in "Riverdale." In the show, she's still the classic-girl-next-door, but she has a dark side and turns her love of writing into a burgeoning journalism career.
Archie Comics/The CW
Jughead Jones

The crown cap is the same, but there are also several differences in Jughead's character. In the comics, Jug is always eating and is much lazier than he is on "Riverdale." His analytical nature and wit do carry over, though. And while Jughead does seem wary of dating at first, he falls head over heels for Betty in the show.
Archie Comics/The CW
Veronica Lodge

Yep, Ronnie is still the rich girl in "Riverdale," though her father's jail time have her family's wealth teetering in the first season. Now that Hiram Lodge is in town, maybe her mom won't be as weary for those shopping sprees. Her big heart--and the Archie-Betty love triangle--do carry over.
Archie Comics/The CW
Josie McCoy

Josie is just as motivated and obsessed with her band, "Josie and the Pussycats," in the comics as she is in "Riverdale." But in the show, she's much more laser-focused than the goofy, Archie-like character portrayed in the comics.
Archie Comics/The CW
Ethel Muggs

At least so far in the show, Ethel is not portrayed as boy-crazy as she is in the comics, where she is obsessed with Jughead. Will we see more of Ethel in Season 2?
Archie Comics/The CW
Kevin Keller

In the comics, Kevin is the new kid (a role given to Veronica in the show), and his dad is in the military, not the sheriff. And while Kevin is Veronica's "best gay" in "Riverdale," she actually had a crush on him before realizing his sexuality in the comics.
Archie Comics/The CW
Reggie Mantle

Reggie was recast for Season 2 of "Riverdale," and will be playing a much bigger role than he did last season. In the comics, he's Archie's biggest rival and is infamous for his pranks. He's also constantly trying to steal Veronica away from Arch--and the two did go on one date last season, so who knows?
Archie Comics/The CW
Valerie Smith

This Pussycat is pretty similar to her "Riverdale" counterpart. Though her relationship with Archie was pretty short lived in Season 1, it's also in the comics. She's determined and level-headed, and not as boy-crazy as some of the other gals at Riverdale High.
Archie Comics/The CW
Chuck Clayton

Chuck is Coach Clayton's son in both "Riverdale" and the comics, though he has a more sinister side in the show, as he's part of a group of football players who tally up their girl "conquests." In the comics, he's obsessed with becoming a cartoonist and dedicated to his girlfriend Nancy.
Archie Comics/The CW
Cheryl Blossom

Cheryl is Riverdale High's resident mean girl in both the show and the comics. Only the Lodges can rival the Blossom family's wealth, which is pretty much maintained in "Riverdale." She also has her eye on Archie, which was a plot point in the second half of Season 1.
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