The Color Purple (2023 film)

The Color Purple (2023 film)
The Color Purple is an upcoming American musical coming-of-age period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg and Quincy Jones return to produce this version, along with the stage musical's producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film as Sofia. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino in her film debut. The latter and Brooks both reprise their roles from productions of the stage musical.
The Color Purple is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Premise
A story of the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the south during the early 1900s.
Cast
Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as young Celie
Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery
Danielle Brooks as Sofia
Colman Domingo as Albert "Mister" Johnson
Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson
H.E.R. as Squeak / Mary Agnes
Ciara as Nettie Harris
Halle Bailey as young Nettie
Aunjanue Ellis as Mama
Jon Batiste as Grady
Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson
David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery
Deon Cole as Alfonso
Tamela J. Mann as First Lady
Stephen Hill as Henry "Buster" Broadnax
Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie
Production
In November 2018, it was reported that a film adaptation of the musical was in development at Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the same companies that made the 1985 film adaptation of the novel, with Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey all signed on to produce. In August 2020, it was announced that Marcus Gardley will pen the screenplay and Black Is King's Blitz Bazawule will direct.
Winfrey praised the selection of Bazawule as director, after she and the producers saw his work on The Burial of Kojo, saying that they "were all blown away by Blitz's unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life." It was also announced that Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, and Mara Jacobs will executive produce the film.
In August 2021, Corey Hawkins was cast in a lead role. That same month, H.E.R. was cast in her feature acting debut. In February 2022, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and Halle Bailey joined the cast, with Barrino and Brooks reprising their roles from productions of the stage musical. In March 2022, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Tamela J. Mann, Phylicia Mpasi, Deon Cole, Stephen Hill, and Ciara joined the cast. In April 2022, Aunjanue Ellis, Elizabeth Marvel and Jon Batiste joined the cast.
Filming began in March 2022, with production taking place at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island from March 16 to March 25. Filming officially wrapped in July 2022.
Siedah Garrett will be joining Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray (in place of the late Allee Willis) in contributing new material to the film's score.
Release
The film will be released on December 25, 2023. It was originally scheduled to be released on December 20, 2023, but later switched release dates with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
References
External links
2023 drama films
2020s English-language films
2020s historical drama films
2020s musical drama films
2023 LGBT-related films
2023 films
African-American drama films
African-American LGBT-related films
Amblin Entertainment films
American feminist films
American historical drama films
American LGBT-related films
American musical drama films
Films about child abuse
Films about dysfunctional families
Films about gender
Films about racism in the United States
Films about rape in the United States
Films about remarriage
Films based on adaptations
Films based on American novels
Films based on musicals based on films
Films produced by Quincy Jones
Films produced by Steven Spielberg
Films produced by Oprah Winfrey
Films scored by Kris Bowers
Films set in Georgia (U.S. state)
Films set in the 1900s
Films set in the 1910s
Films set in the 1920s
Films set in the 1930s
Films shot in Georgia (U.S. state)
Incest in film
Lesbian-related films
LGBT-related musical drama films
Remakes of American films
Upcoming English-language films
Warner Bros. films
2020s American films