It’s pretty hard to imagine anyone other than KJ Apa playing Archie Andrews in Riverdale, right? We mean, after three seasons of watching him solve crimes and uncover mysteries, we can’t picture anyone else in the role. Well guys, it turns out, another Riverdale star was almost cast as the infamous red head, and you’re not going to believe who! Drum roll please… Cole Sprouse just revealed that he was originally invited to audition for the role of Archie, and we’re seriously shook.

As fans know, the Suite Life of Zack and Cody star ended up being cast as Jughead Jones in the CW series, but the producers actually wanted him to play Archie at first. The former Disney star explained to Variety that although they had a different role in mind for him, he had his sights set on Jughead.

“I said, ‘This is a little bit more my style,’” the actor told the outlet.

Initially, Jughead was barely supposed to be in the show, but when the when the producers saw Cole’s interpretation of the character, they decided to make him one of the main stars! Wow, how epic is that?!

Archie and Jughead
The CW

Previously, the casting director of the show, David Rapaport, opened up about the audition process, and he revealed that the second he saw the 27-year-old, he knew he was right for the role.

“Initially I was bringing in all these lanky, charactery-type guys for Jughead, and Cole brought such a dark, brooding, intense essence to the character,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

As for KJ, David admitted that the New Zealand-born actor almost missed his big break.

“I passed on him the first time he came in,” he explained. “He didn’t seem prepared.”

OMG. But luckily, when they couldn’t find the perfect guy to play Archie, they decided to give him one more shot.

“He came back in and his read blew me away,” the casting director continued. “Sometimes people have bad days and you miss something.”

Phew. We’re so glad they were both chosen for the show!

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