Not everything meets the eye on 'Riverdale.'
Not everything meets the eye on Riverdale!
The cast of the CW hit got together for the show’s panel at PaleyFest at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater on Sunday, where they spilled a few juicy details about what goes on behind-the-scenes.
Our favorite Riverdale residents didn't hold back when it came to spilling secrets about shenanigans both on and off-screen, from Lili Reinhart's least favorite part of dark Betty, to KJ Apa's definite strengths (and possible weaknesses). We're with you -- we didn't think there could ever be a downside to the adorable Kiwi.
Check out seven fun facts we learned from Sunday's panel below:
1. KJ’s Got a Big Apa-tite
Just like his character Archie Andrews, Apa can eat. Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart both agreed that they’re not big fans of the perfectly primped Pop’s milkshakes they use while filming, but Apa couldn’t disagree more.
"I finish mine before we start!” he confessed, causing both the audience and his cast members to erupt in laughter, as his TV dad, Luke Perry confirmed he’s got quite the appetite.
" We had a scene where KJ and Cole [Sprouse] were supposed to be eating the pizza in the living room," Luke remembered. "They at the whole pizza in rehearsal."
2. Lines, Shmines!
All that focus on food doesn’t leave Apa with much time for memorizing lines. When a fan asked whether the cast does any improvising during scenes, Sprouse couldn’t help but take a friendly shot at his pal.
"KJ doesn't remember any of his lines, so the answer is yes,” he laughed.
3. The Black Hood Could Be (Almost) Anyone
All those twists and turns in Riverdale have left much of the cast concerned about their fate -- or that they could end up being The Black Hood as the storyline resurfaces at the end of season two -- but not Perry!
"I was definitely sure I was not the black hood," Perry cracked, as his character was shot by the Black Hood at Pop’s Chock'lit Shoppe at the end of season one.
As for who it could be, executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed there’s a couple of suspects.
“When we started, we had three likely suspects. For the first half of this season, we were writing it, dropping red herrings... we always knew it wasn't going to be just the janitor,” he said. “But for the last 10 episodes or so, we've had a clear idea, and have been writing towards that.”
4. Dark Betty Isn’t the Most Comfortable Look
Reinhart talked briefly about the evolution of dark Betty from season one to season two, revealing that she’s actually a supporter of her character exploring her darker side in the bedroom. One thing she could live without, however? That black wig!
"I think [dark Betty is] incredibly interesting. I feel like it's so much more than lingerie and a black wig,” she said, as a stern look washed over her face. “I never want to wear that again. I hate that thing.”
5. The Secret Story Behind the Blossom Wig Room
It turns out that wigs have quite the history on Riverdale. When asked whether fans will see the Blossoms’ hilariously elaborate wig room make an appearance on season two, Aguirre-Sacasa revealed that Clifford’s display of red toupees a la Kris Jenner’s Birkin closet was written into the show as a joke.
As it happens, Barclay Hope, who played Clifford in season one -- and has since returned as his twin brother, Claudius, in season two -- refused to dye his hair Blossom red for the role. The Riverdale team agreed to put him in wigs, but not before CW executives commented on how horrible they all looked. That’s when they decided to play into the snafu, embrace Hope’s natural gray locks, and write in a scene exposing the Blossom’s different kind of red room.
5. Camila Mendes is a Lover, Not a Fighter
Veronica may have taken down both Nick St. Clair and Reggie Mantle this season, but in real life, Camila Mendes, couldn’t be more peaceful… until now.
“I’ve never punched someone!” Mendes admitted, before hilariously noting, “I’m looking to.”
6. Cole Sprouse Gets Down With "Mr. Brightside"
At this point, it’s no surprise that the Riverdale cast are thick as the thieves who tried to rob the Lodge Lodge -- and while they admit that getting around Vancouver undetected has become an issue, a little karaoke session has never failed them.
"The problem is we're always together, so there's no question that it's us,” Mendes revealed of how they spend their time off in Vancouver, as the cast gushed about their karaoke outings. Casey Cott sings "New York,” Reinhart goes for Gaga’s “You and I” -- “I love Lady Gaga. She’s my girl!” she gushed -- and according to Madelaine Pestch, “Cole likes to sing Mr. Brightside.”
7. Riverdale Was Almost a Movie
While opening up about Riverdale’s origins, Aguirre-Sacasa revealed that he and Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater had been working on bringing the story to screen for “three or four years” -- as a movie!
That, of course, didn’t work out, and they set their sights on television, landing at the CW.
“I think he'd be shocked. But I also think he'd be thrilled to see this great cast. I don't think he ever thought in his wildest dreams that would happen,” Goldwater said of what his father, original Archie founder John L. Goldwater, would think of the series. “The DNA of comic books and the DNA of the show are the same. He'd really be thrilled about the whole thing."
Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
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