Blitz Bazawule has directed the upcoming American musical coming-of-age period drama movie ‘The Color Purple’ which is based on the same-named stage musical both of which are adapted from Alice Walker’s 1982 same-named novel.
This upcoming adaptation marks the second movie adaptation of the novel following Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie.
Quincy Jones who was a producer of the 1985 film and Spielberg himself return to produce the new adaptation joined by Oprah Winfrey and Scott Sanders who were producers of the stage musical.
The plot of The Color Purple will chronicle the life-long struggles of Celie, an African American woman as well as of the other women whom she crosses paths with in life.
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When Is The Color Purple Releasing?
On November 2, 2018, the film was first announced to be under development by the same companies which made the previous adaptation of the novel- Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
Filming of the movie ran from March to July of 2022. The Color Purple is set to be released on December 25, 2023.
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Cast Members of ‘The Color Purple:
Fantasia Barrino-
As the protagonist of the movie- Celie Harris-Johnson is portrayed by American R&B singer and actress Fantasia Barrino.
Fantasia’s rise to prominence occurred in 2004 for her performance of the Porgy and Bess standard “Summertime” during the third season of the reality television series American Idol of which she eventually becomes the winner of that season. ‘The Color Purple’ is going to be her feature film debut.
Taraji P. Henson-
In the role of Shug Avery, we will see Academy Award-nominated American actress Taraji P. Henson in the movie. She was nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Queenie in the 2008 fantasy romantic drama movie ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’.
Her other film credits include ‘Hustle & Flow’, ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘Talk to Me’, ‘Not Easily Broken‘, ‘Hurricane Season’, ‘I Can Do Bad All by Myself’, ‘Date Night’, ‘The Karate Kid’, ‘Once Fallen’, ‘The Good Doctor’, ‘From the Rough’, ‘No Good Deed’, ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Acrimony’, ‘What Men Want’, ‘The Best of Enemies’, etc.
Ciara-
To portray Celie’s sister Nettie, American actress, singer, dancer, businesswoman, and model Ciara will star in the movie.
Her other film roles are of Becca Watley in the 2006 sport/drama film ‘All You’ve Got’, of Doris Winter / Amara in the 2012 musical drama film ‘Mama, I Want to Sing!’, and of Brie in another 2012 satirical black comedy film ‘That’s My Boy’.
American actress and singer-songwriter Halle Bailey will be seen starring as young Nettie in the upcoming film.
Bailey rose to prominence for her portrayal of Ariel in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid‘ in 2023. She also starred in the new American drama film ‘The Line which premiered on June 9, 2023, at the Tribeca Festival.
Danielle Brooks-
As Sofia, we will see American actress-singer Danielle Brooks in the upcoming movie. In 2015 she was cast in the role of Abbey in the coming-of-age comedy-drama movie ‘I Dream Too Much’.
In the 2018 drama film ‘Sadie’ Brooks played the role of Carla. Brooks starred in two films in 2019 which are Evette in the drama film ‘Clemency’ and Venus in the comedy film ‘The Day Shall Come’.
The next year he was cast in the role of Wendy in the Canadian comedy movie ‘Eat Wheaties!’.
Colman Domingo-
Emmy winner American actor, director, and writer Colman Domingo has been cast as Albert “Mister” Johnson in the new adaptation.
His other film credits include ‘Kung Phooey!’, ‘All Is Bright’, ‘The Butler’, ‘Time Out of Mind’, ‘Selma’, ‘The Birth of a Nation’, ‘Assassination Nation’, ‘First Match’, ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, ‘Lucy in the Sky’, ‘Zola’, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, ‘Without Remorse’, ‘The God Committee’, ‘Candyman’ etc. Domingo is also set to star in the upcoming films ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ and ‘Rustin’.
Corey Hawkins-
As Harpo Johnson, American actor Corey Hawkins will star in the upcoming movie. In the 2015 biographical drama film ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Hawkins was cast as Andre “Dr. Dre” Young.
Then in 2019, he played Daniel Volker in the crime drama film ‘Georgetown’ and Blaine/Seven in the vigilante action thriller movie ‘6 Underground’.
Hawkins portrayed Benny in the musical drama film ‘In the Heights’ and Macduff in the 2021 adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’. Hawkins will also be seen starring in the upcoming films ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ and ‘The Piano Lesson’.
H.E.R.-
Both Grammy and Academy Award winner American R&B singer H.E.R. will star in the role of Squeak / Mary Agnes in the new adaptation.
Aunjanue Ellis-
As Mama, we will see Academy and Emmy Award-nominated American actress Aunjanue Ellis in the upcoming movie. Ellis was nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing the role of Oracene “Brandy” Price in the biographical sports drama film ‘King Richard’.
Other cast members of the movie are Louis Gossett Jr. playing Ol’ Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier playing Rev. Samuel Avery, Tamela J. Mann playing First Lady, Deon Cole playing Alfonso, Elizabeth Marvel playing Miss Millie, Jon Batiste playing Grady, and Stephen Hill playing Henry “Buster” Broadnax.
