‘ Riverdale’ star replaces Kian in ‘ The HateUGive’

Riverdale star K. J. Apa ( pictured) has replaced actor Kian Lawley in the drama film The HateUGive.

Apawas roped in two months after the studio dropped Lawley from the project over videos that surfaced in which he uttered racist slurs.

Lawleywas set to play the boyfriend of actress Amandla Stenberg in themovie based on Angela Thomas’ novel of the samename, which centers on race and police brutality. Lawley apologised at the time saying: “I respect Fox’s decision to recast this role for The HateUGive as it is an important story, and itwould not be appropriate formeto be involved considering the actions ofmy past. I understand the impact and I have grown and learnt since then. From nowon I plan to usemy voice for positive change.”

The role of the boyfriend is a key component of The HateUGive, which also stars Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Algee Smith, LamarJohnson and Common.

Stenberg plays a 16- year- old girl named Starrwho grewup in a poverty- stricken area but nowattends a suburban prep school. After she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend, she’s torn between her two very differentworlds as she tries to speak her truth.