The Color Purple (2023 film)

*This article is about the fourth installment in the series. For the series as a whole, see The Color Purple (franchise).*

## Information

### Based on

*The Color Purple*
by Alice Walker
*The Color Purple*
by Marsha Norman
Brenda Russell
Allee Willis
Stephen Bray

### Produced by

Oprah Winfrey
Steven Spielberg
Scott Sanders
Quincy Jones

### Executive producers

Alice Walker
Rebecca Walker
Kristie Macosko Krieger
Carla Gardini
Mara Jacobs

### Starring

Taraji P. Henson
Danielle Brooks
Colman Domingo
Corey Hawkins
H.E.R.
Halle Bailey
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
Fantasia Barrino

### Music by

Kris Bowers
Brenda Russell
Allee Willis
Stephen Bray
Siedah Garrett

## Production

### Production companies

Harpo Films
Amblin Entertainment
Scott Sanders Productions

## Chronology

***The Color Purple*** is an upcoming American musical coming-of-age period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule and adapted to the screen by Marcus Gardley. It is the a film adaptation of the 2003 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 Walker's novel, following Steven Spielberg's 1985 film. Spielberg and Quincy Jones return to produce this version, along with the stage musical's producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey. The film stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks, both reprising their roles from stage musical productions, alongside Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi in supporting roles.

*The Color Purple* is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.

## Plot

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

TBA

## Cast and characters

* Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris Johnson
	+ Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as young Celie Harris Johnson
* 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 Mary "Squeak" Agnes
* Ciara as Nettie Harris
	+ Halle Bailey as young Nettie Harris
* Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama
* Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson
* David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery
* Tamela J. Mann as First Lady
* Deon Cole as Alfonso
* Stephen Hill as Henry "Buster" Broadnax
* Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie
* Jon Batiste as Grady

## Production

### Development

On November 2, 2018, it was reported by *Deadline* that Warner Bros was developing *The Color Purple* for the big screen again, but based off the Tony-winning Broadway musical. Steven Spielberg, who directed and produced the 11-time Oscar-nominated 1985 film, is returning as a producer with Quincy Jones, though he will not direct. Both the musical and the film are based off of Alice Walker’s 1982 book about Celie, a black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father, husband and others over the course of four decades. Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature debut in the original movie and earned a Supporting Actress Oscar nom, is also producing the movie with Scott Sanders. Winfrey, Jones and Sanders produced the Broadway musical. On August 24, 2020, Blitz Bazawule was set to direct *The Color Purple*, based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical. “We, 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,” Winfrey told Deadline. Marcus Gardley was announced to be writing the screenplay based on *The Color Purple* Broadway reimagining of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel. The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Executive producers are Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini and Mara Jacobs. On December 23, 2020, Toby Emmerich, chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, announced that *The Color Purple* would release on December 20, 2023, going straight to the big screen and not HBO Max or theaters. This is apart of a new idea to launch the trio as global theatrical releases, not timed with a simultaneous HBO drop; which is the intent for their 2021 theatrical release.

On April 5, 2023, Warner Bros. announced that *The Color Purple* would now debut on December 25, 2023, swapping with *Aquaman 2*.

### Casting

In August 2021, Corey Hawkins joined the cast in the lead role, with H.E.R. also joining the cast. 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 Pearl Mpasi, Deon Cole, Stephen Hill, and Ciara joined the cast. In April 2022, Aunjanue Ellis, Elizabeth Marvel Jon Batiste, Terrence J. Smith, Tiffany Burgess and Aba Arthur joined the cast.

### Filming

Principal photography 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.

### Music

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.

## Soundtrack

On November 27, the soundtrack's musicians and signers were revealed by executive produced by Quincy Jones, Larry Jackson and Scott Sanders via WaterTower Music and Gamma. The soundtrak featured songs by Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Mary Mary,Missy Elliott and film's actress Halle Bailey, H.E.R and Ciara. The film soundtrack is including original Broadway songs, including "She Be Mine" and "Shug Avery Comin' to Town" and original songs.

American record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav, composed by Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney were involved in the project by the director Bazawule. The duo wrote and composed original song "Keep It Movin", with Morten Ristorp and Halle Bailey, and it is performed by Bailey with and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. The song was published on November 11, 2023. On November 27, 2023 "Lifeline" was published as the second original song from the film, written and performed by Alicia Keys.

## Marketing

In May 2023, Warner Bros. released the official trailer for the film, which garnered over 9.6 million views. In October 2023, a second trailer for the film was released, and currently has 12 million views.

## Release

*The Color Purple* was originally scheduled to be released theatrically on December 20, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures, but on April 5, 2023, Warner Bros. moved the release up to December 25, 2023, swapping dates with *Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom*.

## Gallery

### Videos

The Color Purple - Official Trailer 2Get a first look at 'The Color of Purple' remakeThe Color Purple - Official Trailer

## References

1. ↑ Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey & Quincy Jones Developing ‘The Color Purple’ Musical For Warner Bros
2. ↑ ‘The Color Purple’ Feature Musical: ‘Black Is King’s Blitz Bazawule Set To Direct
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Warner Bros. Dates Three Pics For 2023 Theatrical Release (Not HBO Max): ‘Furiosa’, ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ & ‘The Color Purple
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 ‘Aquaman 2’ Shifts Release Date Five Days Earlier, Warner Bros Dates ‘The Wise Guys’, ‘Minecraft’
5. ↑ Corey Hawkins Joining Warner Bros Feature Musical ‘The Color Purple’
6. ↑ H.E.R. to Make Acting Debut in ‘The Color Purple’ Movie Musical (Exclusive)
7. ↑ Taraji P. Henson Joins Blitz Bazawule’s Adaptation Of ‘The Color Purple’ As Shug Avery
8. ↑ Fantasia And Danielle Brooks To Star In ‘The Color Purple’ Musical Movie At Warner Bros
9. ↑ Oprah Winfrey Reveals the Glorious Cast of *The Color Purple* Musical Film
10. ↑ Exclusive: Tamela Mann, Deon Cole And Louis Gossett, Jr. Added To Cast Of 'The Color Purple'
11. ↑ Ciara joins *The Color Purple* movie musical as adult version of Halle Bailey's Nettie
12. ↑ Exclusive: Aunjanue Ellis Joins The Cast Of ‘The Color Purple
13. ↑ ‘The Dropout’s’ Elizabeth Marvel Joins Blitz Bazawule’s ‘The Color Purple’ Musical Movie (EXCLUSIVE)
14. ↑ Jon Batiste Joins ‘The Color Purple’ In Feature Acting Debut
15. ↑ ‘The Color Purple’ Musical Adaptation Adds Terrence J. Smith, Tiffany Elle Burgess, And Aba Arthur
16. ↑ 'The Color Purple: The Musical' set to film on Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach
17. ↑ Carlinhos Brown, Siedah Garrett Board Creative Team of Upcoming *Black Orpheus* Stage Musical
18. ↑ Megan Thee Stallion, Coco Jones, Jorja Smith And More To Appear On 'The Color Purple' Soundtrack
19. ↑ ’The Color Purple’ Will Feature Alicia Keys, Usher, & Many More
20. ↑ ‘The Color Purple’ Soundtrack To Feature Megan Thee Stallion, H.E.R, Usher, And More
21. ↑ Upcoming The Color Purple Movie Musical Will Include Cut Song From the Stage Score
22. ↑ 'The Color Purple': How Nova Wav Kept the Broadway Beat
23. ↑ Warner Bros. Plans to Submit Two Original Songs From ‘The Color Purple,’ Plus One ‘Wonka’ Tune Sung by Timothée Chalamet
24. ↑ Warner Bros. Pictures, WaterTower Music and gamma. Announce December 15th Arrival of THE COLOR PURPLE (MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY)
25. ↑ The Color Purple | Official Trailer
26. ↑ The Color Purple | Official Trailer 2
27. ↑ Vote for the 2023 Queerties Winners
28. ↑ Songs From ‘Barbie’ Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)
29. ↑ 2023 HMMA WINNERS AND NOMINEES
30. ↑ America Ferrera, Colman Domingo and Greta Lee Among Critics Choice Association Honorees for Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements