Archie Comics Publications has signed on with CAA (Creative Artists Agency), the Tinseltown uber-agency that reps Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, LeBron James, George Clooney, Will Smith, Will Ferrell, and Peyton Manning.  CAA will attempt to create the kind of entertainment opportunities for Archie that it has established for toymakers Mattel and Hasbro.  CAA helped Mattel set up its Major Matt Mason property as a starring vehicle for Tom Hanks, while Hasbro has a number of its properties including Clue, Stretch Armstrong, and Battleship in development.

Archie Comics controls a number of widely known comic book properties including the flagship Archie family of comics, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats, Super Duck and Cosmo the Merry Martian among others.

Variety notes that the Archie/CAA deal comes “as Hollywood is quickly gobbling up established branded properties as evidenced by Disney’s pending acquisition of Marvel Entertainment and Warner Bros. recent exec overhaul of DC Comics.”