The film based on the musical is released in cinemas in the UK on the 24th January 2024.
Warner Bros have released a brand new trailer for The Color Purple film directed by Blitz Bazawule and adapted for the screen by Marcus Gardley.
Based on the book by Alice Walker, the musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 and features a book by Marsha Norman and a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, following Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film adaptation.
The story follows that of Celie, a young Black woman living in Georgia, who loses contact with her sister and is forced to marry to an older widower, and meets Shug Avery along the way.
The cast for this film adaptation of the musical is led by Fantasia Barrino as Celie, after assuming the role from 2007 to 2008 in the stage musical’s Broadway premiere and reprising it in 2010 during the US national tour, alongside Danielle Brooks as Sofia, reprising her Tony-nominated performance in the role from the 2015 Broadway revival. They are joined by Taraji P Henson as Shug Avery, Colam 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, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama, Louis Gossett Jr as Ol’ Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier as Reverend Samuel Avery, Tamela J Mann as First Lady, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Henry “Buster” Broadnax, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, and Jon Batiste as Grady.
Meanwhile, the film is being produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, both of whom were involved with the 1985 film. Those involved with the film include additional music by Kris Bowers, cinematography by Dan Laustsen and editing by Jon Poll.