The screen version of Broadway's The Color Purple finally reaches movie theatres December 25. A soundtrack album was released December 15, and a second album of the film's instrumental score (composed by Kris Bowers) will be released alongside the film today.
The cast features a number of Broadway favorites, and more than one alum of the musical's two Broadway stagings, including Fantasia Barrino as Celie and Danielle Brooks as Sofia. Joining them are Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Coleman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, Broadway The Lion King alum Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie, Halle Bailey as Young Nettie, H.E.R. as Squeak, David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, Ciara as Adult Nettie, Louis Gossett, Jr. as Ol' Mister, Jon Batiste as Grady, Aunjanue Ellis as Celie and Nettie's mother, Tamela Mann as First Lady, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Buster, Terrence J. Smith as Adam, Tiffany Elle Burgess as Olivia, and Aba Arthur as Abena.
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The film has already started racking up award nominations. Danielle Brooks got nods from the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes, with Fantasia earning a Golden Globe nomination as well. The movie is also shortlisted for the Best Picture category at the Academy Awards—those nominations are due January 23, 2024.
Blitz Bazawule, who co-helmed Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King, directs, with Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Sanders, and Steven Spielberg serving as producers. Marcus Gardley penned the screenplay, adapted from Marsha Norman’s stage book and Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray’s score. The stage musical was adapted from Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer-winning novel and its 1985 film adaptation.
The Color Purple debuted on Broadway in 2005, winning original Celie, LaChanze, a Tony Award for her performance. A 2015 revival helmed by John Doyle earned its Celie, Cynthia Erivo, a Tony Award before propelling her to Hollywood stardom. Brooks co-starred with Erivo as Sophia, the role she reprises in the movie musical.
Fans of the musical's stage version can expect a somewhat altered song list for the film. Some of the songs from the stage musical have been cut and new songs have been added: "She Be Mine," "Keep It Movin'," "Workin'," "Maybe God Is Tryin' to Tell You Something'," "Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)," and "Superpower."
Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson in The Color Purple
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey in The Color Purple
Cast of The Color Purple
Danielle Brooks and Corey Hawkins in The Color Purple
Blitz Bazawule, Louis Gossett Jr., H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, and Corey Hawkins
Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Blitz Bazawule
Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks
Colman Domingo
Taraji P. Henson
Danielle Brooks and Corey Hawkins
