‘The Color Purple’ Musical Film Announces Cast
Some members of the cast are in talks for roles in the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple musical.
Deadline reports that Tony nominee Corey Hawkins might be joining the film as Harpo. Hawkins recently starred as Benny in the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, In the Heights.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, singer-songwriter H.E.R. is in final talks to star as Squeak, a character who goes from juke joint waitress to aspiring singer.
Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King) is set to direct with a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, adapted from Marsha Norman’s book and with a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
Based on Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Color Purple follows the story of Celie, a black woman who grows up in intense poverty and abuse in the American South during the early 20th century. She is changed when she finds her self-worth through the help of two strong female companions.
The Color Purple was adapted into a film in 1985, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. In December 2005, a musical adaptation opened on Broadway. It returned to Broadway in 2015 starring Cynthia Erivo as Celie, winning Best Revival of a Musical and Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Erivo. Spielberg and Winfrey have also teamed up for a film adaptation of the musical, set to premiere on December 20, 2023.
The Color Purple features several memorable songs including “Push Da Button,” “Too Beautiful for Words,” and “I’m Here.” The show’s music draws inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues.
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