Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch joins horror film Clare at 16

Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch is taking her horror chops to the big screen. She’ll star as a serial killer in Clare at 16.

Everyone’s favorite psycho redhead from teen mystery thriller Riverdale is bringing us more sociopathic behavior with a new horror film. Madelaine Petsch is set to star as Clare in Clare at 16. She will also serve as an executive producer on the project, which is in pre-production. Mark Pavia (The Night Flier, Fender Bender) will write and direct.

The film, being labeled a horror comedy, is based on the upcoming novel written by Don Roff that focuses on an orphaned teenager with homicidal tendencies. Roff describes Clare at 16 as a cautionary tale.

"“The central message of the Clare series, I think, is not to underestimate or marginalize those who you deem weaker or different than yourself as you have no idea what they’re capable of. You never know – those of whom you relentlessly persecute may just end up killing you.”"

Horror film is the natural next step for Petsch, who has flexed plenty of horror acting ability on Riverdale as Cheryl Blossom. The already moody show took a noticeably darker turn after season one as a serial murderer loosely based on the Zodiac Killer terrorized the town. Now in season three, the show recently offered up an episode dedicated to Scream, which even showcased a shot-for-shot homage to the film featuring Petsch’s co-star Skeet Ulrich.

Petsch served us a sizzling rendition of Carrie White in Riverdale High’s school play based on Carrie. (She did burn her own family’s house to the ground to teach them a lesson, so methinks Carrie was a natural fit for her.)

In a statement to 1428 Elm, Roff had this to say about Petsch’s casting:

"“We’re all thrilled that Madelaine Petsch has agreed to play Clare Marie Bleecker in the film(s). When Mark Pavia told me that’s the actress they were going after for the lead, I was thrilled, being a fan of Riverdale. Maddie’s involvement with us is a miraculous kind of serendipity. We’re really blessed to have her.”"

This will be Petsch’s first parlay into producing. She will be joining forces with producers Cassie Elwes (Travis Zariwny’s Cabin Fever) and horror veteran David Chackler (John Carpenter’s Village of the Damned, Tom Holland’s Tales of Terror.)

Filming begins this spring while Petsch is on break from filming Riverdale. Roff’s novel does not have a release date at present, but Roff anticipates it dropping sometime this summer through Baker & Taylor. He previously authored Snowblind, which is also set to become a major motion picture and will star Ashley Greene of Twilight fame.

This is shaping up to be Petsch’s year.  She is also in Polaroid  which is due to hit theaters later this year through Lantern Entertainment. Clare at 16 will be the first of a six-book series, so sequels to the film are most likely in the actress’ future.

Are you a fan of Riverdale? Will you be looking forward to Clare at 16? Let us know in the section below.