In 1985, Steven Spielberg created a stunning adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel,The Color Purple, which starred a number of award-winning performers. With a new musical adaptation of the iconic film on the way, the new cast looks just as promising.
Winfrey starred inSpielberg’s 1985 adaptation of the filmas Sofia. Her role as Sofia inThe Color Purplemarked her film debut, where she snagged an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1986.
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Winfrey discussed the stars ofThe Color Purple’s upcoming musical film with Vanity Fair. The core members of the cast forThe Color Purple’s musical feature consists of a number of stars more than capable of delivering the emotionally raw performances the film requires. Fantasia will star as the lead character Celie, who she previously portrayed on Broadway in 2007. She will be joined byEuphoriastar Colman Domingoas Mister, Celie’s abusive husband. Halle Bailey will play the crucial role of Nettie, Celie’s sister. Corey Hawkins will play Mister’s son Harpo and Danielle Brooks will play his first wife, Sofia. H.E.R. will play Harpo’s second wife, Squeak. Finally, Taraji P. Henson will star as Shug Avery, the blues singer who changes Celie’s life.
Spielberg’s 1985 film included Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Akosua Busia, Willard Pugh, Rae Dawn Chong, and Margaret Avery as Walker’s characters. Aside from Winfrey, Goldberg and Avery also received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Supporting Actress at the 1986 ceremony. Together, Spielberg’s film was nominated for 11 Oscars. With the emotional intensity of this film, Fantasia has proven that she has what it takes to lead it after her performance in her own biopic. In addition to Fantasia’s singing capabilities, Academy Award-winner H.E.R. andThe Little Mermaidlive-action star Halle Baileyare perfect additions to the cast.
Blitz Bazawule will direct the new adaptation ofThe Color Purple. Bazawule recently directed Beyoncé’sBlack Is King, which won a Primetime Emmy in 2021. Marcus Gardley will pen the screenplay. Gardley has previously worked onThe Chias a producer and writer, and alsoproduced Netflix’sMaidseries. Winfrey is one of the producers on the upcoming musical along with Scott Sanders, who produced the Broadway musical version ofThe Color Purplein 2005. They will be joined byThe Color Purple’s composer and producer Quincy Jones, and Spielberg.
The performances in Spielberg’sThe Color Purpleare among some of the most memorable in film history.The Color Purplecaptured the essence of Walker’s novel in a powerful, emotional manner that managed to bring her magnificent characters to life. With thecast constructed for the musical, capable of delivering a stunning performance while acting and singing,The Color Purplehas the makings to be one of the greatest films of this era.
