The plot of The Color Purple will chronicle the lifelong struggles of Celie, an African American woman in addition to other women she meets in life.
Blitz Bazawule has directed the upcoming American musical period drama film ‘The Color Purple’ which is based on the stage musical of the same name which were both adapted from Alice Walker’s 1982 novel of the same name.
This upcoming adaptation marks the second film adaptation of the novel after Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film.
Quincy Jones, who was a producer on the 1985 film and Spielberg himself is returning to produce the new adaptation is joined by Oprah Winfrey and Scott Sanders who are producing the stage musical.
The plot of The Color Purple will chronicle the lifelong struggles of Celie, an African American woman in addition to other women she meets in life.
When Will Purple Be Released?
On November 2, 2018, the film was first announced to be in development by the same company that made the previous adaptation of the novel – Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
Filming took place from March to July 2022. The Color Purple will be released on December 25, 2023.
Cast of ‘The Color Purple:
Fantasia Barrino-
As the protagonist of the film- Celie Harris-Johnson is played by American R&B singer and actress Fantasia Barrino.
Fantasia’s rise to prominence came in 2004 for her appearance on the Porgy and Bess standard “Summertime” during the third season of the truth television series American Idol which eventually won that season. ‘The Color Purple’ will be his film debut.
Taraji P. Henson-
In the role of Shug Avery, we will see Academy Award nominated American actress Taraji P. Henson in the film. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Queenie in the 2008 fantasy romantic drama film ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’.
His other film credits include ‘Hustle & Flow’, ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘Talk to Me’, ‘Not Easy to Break‘, ‘Storm Season’, ‘I Could Do Bad Alone’, ‘Date Night’, ‘Karate Boy’, ‘One Fall’, ‘The Good Doctor’, ‘From the Rude’, ‘No Good Deeds’,’ Hidden Figures’, ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Bitter Bitterness’, ‘What Men Want’, ‘Best Enemy’, etc.
Ciara-
To play Celie’s sister Nettie, American actress, singer, dancer, businesswoman and model Ciara will star in the film.
Her other film roles include as Becca Watley in the 2006 sports/drama film ‘All You’ve Got’, as Doris Winter / Amara in the 2012 musical drama film ‘Mama, I Want to Sing!’, and as Brie in another 2012 comedy film. satirical black ‘That’s My Boy’.
American actress and singer-songwriter Halle Bailey will be seen playing a young Nettie in the upcoming film.
Bailey rose to prominence for her role as Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptationLittle Mermaid‘ in 2023. He is also starring 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 film. In 2015 she played Abbey in the adult comedy-drama film ‘I Dream Too Much’.
In the 2018 drama film ‘Sadie’ Brooks plays Carla. Brooks starred in two films in 2019 specifically Evette in the drama ‘Clemency’ and Venus in the comedy ‘The Day Shall Come’.
The following year she played Wendy in the Canadian comedy ‘Eat Wheaties!’.
Colman Domingo-
Emmy-winning American actor, director and writer Colman Domingo has been cast as Albert “Mister” Johnson in this new adaptation.
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. upcoming movies ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ and ‘Rustin’.
Corey Hawkins-
As Harpo Johnson, American actor Corey Hawkins will star in the upcoming film. In the 2015 biographical drama film ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Hawkins played Andre “Dr. Young Dre.
Later in 2019, he played Daniel Volker in the crime drama ‘Georgetown’ and Blaine/Seven in the vigilante action thriller ‘6 Underground’.
Hawkins plays Benny in the musical ‘In the Heights’ and Macduff in the 2021 adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’. Hawkins will even be seen starring in the upcoming films ‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’ and ‘The Piano Lesson’.
HE-
Grammy and Academy Award-winning American R&B singer HER will star as Squeak / Mary Agnes in the new adaptation.
Aunjanue Ellis-
As Mama, we’ll be seeing Academy and Emmy Award-nominated American actress Aunjanue Ellis in the upcoming film. Ellis was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing the role of Oracene “Brandy” Price in the biographical sports drama film ‘King Richard’.
Another film actor is Louis Gossett Jr. played Ol’ Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier played the Reverend Samuel Avery, Tamela J. Mann played the First Lady, Deon Cole played Alfonso, Elizabeth Marvel played Miss Millie, Jon Batiste played Grady, and Stephen Hill played Henry “Buster” Broadnax.
