We are in desperate need of a solid coming-of-age picture with a mix of romance, and that is definitely coming our way. Joseph Monninger‘s beloved novel “The Map That Leads to You” is being adapted into a movie, and filming has already begun.
Of course, no film of this genre is complete without strong stars, and the production team behind this adaptation has cast some promising talents. Leading the cast is Madelyn Cline, known for her role in “Outer Banks,” who will portray Heather, the protagonist.
In the story, Heather has graduated from college and is traveling around Europe with her two best friends, savoring what she believes is the last summer of freedom before adult responsibilities set in. During her trip, she meets Jack, a Vermonter following his grandfather’s journal through various European cities, and she inevitably falls in love with him. Now, the question on everyone’s mind: Who will play Jack?
K.J. Apa will portray Jack in ‘The Map that Leads to You’ film adaptation
Based on recent photos from the filming set, we can confirm that Madelyn Cline’s romantic interest will be played by K.J. Apa! Not familiar with his name? Despite a relatively short career with only 12 credits, the 27-year-old actor from New Zealand has starred in several well-known productions.
K.J. Apa and Madelyn Cline filming for “The Map that Leads to You”. (Source: @kjsarmy)
His most notable and beloved role is in “Riverdale,” where he played Archibald “Archie” Andrews, the main character of the show. His performance has earned him a dedicated fanbase that follows and supports him in all his projects.
But that isn’t his only work. If you want to explore his filmography, you can find him leading the 2020 thriller “Dead Reckoning” on Prime Video, or in the rom-com “The Last Summer” on Netflix, which aligns well with the tone of “The Map That Leads to You.”
Many fans are already buzzing about the potential on-screen chemistry between K.J. Apa and Madelyn Cline. Truth is, while K.J. had a child with model Clara Berry in 2021, she confirmed in an Instagram Q&A in February that they are no longer together. So, he is probably single, and there’s plenty of excitement around this new pairing since Madelyn is also reported to have broken up with Pete Davidson.
