The Warner Bros. movie adaptation of the stage musical, The Color Purple is underway and it has such an awesome cast. The musical itself was also an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel released in 1985 by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Ghanaian film director, Blitz Bazawule is helming this project. Best known for his perfect touch in co-directing Beyonce’s Black is King alongside Emmanuel Adjei (also Ghanaian), the world believes that the director will produce no result less than expected.
Other works of Bazawule include “The Burial of Kojo” and “Cherish the Day”.
The movie is set in Georgia and will film the woes African-American women endure throughout their phases in life. It follows how a young man suffering abuse in all forms from her father to her husband and his kids finally gathered the strength to call it off when she met two other strong women.
The cast and crew of the movie The Color Purple
The host of mainstream superstars joined their artistic elements to make Blitz Bazawule’s film an outstanding one. They include;
John Batiste
This is the musician’s debut appearance in the movie scene. His call to join comes after dominating the Grammy Awards with 5 wins. In the movie, Batiste will portray the character Grady, a husband to Shug Avery. He is labelled as “the epitome of charm and eloquence” in the movie.
Taraji P. Henson
The sensational screen goddess, Taraji P. Henson is leaving her prints on The Colour Purple too. The Oscar and Emmy nominee is cast as Shug Avery, the wife to Grady. However, in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version of the movie, Margaret Avey played the character.
Taraji will play the role of a jazz and blues singer introduced as Mister’s longtime mistress before she became Celie’s confidant.
Fantasia Taylor and Danielle Brooks
Playing the characters Celie and Sofia respectively, both stars are reprising their roles from the stage musical. In fact, they are cast as lead actresses in this masterpiece movie the Color Purple.
H.E.R.
American singer Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, professionally known as H.E.R, signed on for this project too. Interestingly, it is her major acting role and she’s portraying the character Squeak in the movie.
The Oscar winner earned the best original song award in April for her masterpiece “Fight For You” from Warner Bros.
Incredibly, she has four Grammys to her credit as well. According to her, “There is so much I want to do. People don’t really get to see my comedic and fun side, except for when I’m impersonating my aunt, laughs, “But I definitely want to do a lot more voice-overs, and comedy and some serious roles.
Apparently, playing roles in The Color Purple is a serious role. In the movie, H.E.R as Squeak will play the role of a juke joint waitress who moved up in life as an aspiring singer. In the 1985 version, Rae Dawn Chong played this role.
Elizbeth Marvel
The movie, Colour Purple also cast Hulu’s “Dropout” star, Elizabeth Marvel. She is playing the character Miss Millie – an unpleasant and overbearing mayor’s wife who hires Sofia to be her maid. However, In the 1985 version, Dana Ivey played this role.
Others Cast of the movie The Color Purple
Halle Bailey as Young Nettie
Ciara as Nettie
David Alan Grier as Reverend Avey
Tamala J. Mann as First Lady
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie
Deon Cole as Alfonso
Stephen Hill as Buster and
Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister
Producers of The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey, together with Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones are producing the movie. Winfrey, who made her feature acting debut in the 1985 version is producing the current product via her Harpo Films firm. Spielberg, on the other hand, has returned to also produce the movie under his Amblin Entertainment.
Also, Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Adam Fell, Mara Jacobs, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Carla Giardini are executive producers.
The anticipated Blitz Bazawule masterpiece is scheduled for December 20, 2023 release.