On Christmas Day, The Color Purple is set to dazzle another generation of filmgoers. In the new adaptation of the musical version of Alice Walker’s beloved novel, Fantasia will reprise the role she played on Broadway. But the all-star cast doesn’t stop there. Halle Bailey, Jon Batiste, HER, Ciara, and more will appear. Given the film’s musical legacy, the soundtrack has enormous shoes to fill.
On Monday, November 27, it was revealed that a jam-packed lineup of musicians set to appear on the album. Two of the film’s stars, HER and Halle Bailey, will lend their voice to the soundtrack, which is executive produced by Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders. It will also include Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Ciara, Mary Mary, and Missy Elliott.
The soundtrack’s first taste came from Alicia Keys’ song “Lifeline.” You can listen to the single below. The soundtrack will be shared on December 15 via WaterTower Music and Gamma.
Walker’s novel was first filmed by Steven Spielberg in 1985, with a cast that included Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery. It was a hit that earned 10 Academy Award nominations.
The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Halle Bailey joined Oprah Winfrey to begin promoting the upcoming film, The Color Purple, this week. In doing so, she rocked a blue suit and golden necklaces. “I love my glam today. We’ve got a lot of golden going on,” she said in a post on social media from behind the scenes.
When The Jasmine Brand shared a picture from the event of Bailey and Winfrey posing together, fans took note of Bailey’s apparent attempt to hide her stomach. The move comes amid rumors of her concealing a pregnancy with her boyfriend, DDG. “Lol she doing the Claire Huxtable poses on y’all! Some are too young to know what I’m talking about… Claire hid that baby bump throughout a whole season of the Cosby show,” one user commented. Another wrote: “It’s the way she’s going through such great lengths to hide her stomach that’s annoying lol….”
Halle Bailey Attends Glamour Women of The Year Awards
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Halle Bailey attends the Glamour Women of The Year Awards 2023 at One Marylebone on October 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The Color Purple will be Bailey’s first film since The Little Mermaid. She recently reflected on the making of the second film adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel during an interview with Cosmopolitan in October. “Set was like going to a cookout – it felt like a family reunion, honestly, like you’re surrounded by your aunties and cousins,” she said at the time. “I was just excited to be there as a fan of everyone. The movie is a labor of love. I mean, we all care so much about the original story and really wanted to do a good job with this reimagining.” Check out her picture with Winfrey below.
Halle Bailey & Oprah Winfrey Promote “The Color Purple”
Taraji P. Henson says she nearly missed out on hearing about being cast in the upcoming film, The Color Purple, after ignoring Oprah Winfrey’s phone call to break the news. Henson will be playing the character, Shug Avery, in the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel of the same name. Speaking with Essence, Henson explained she’ll “never forget” the day she learned she got the part.
“I saved my recording. I don’t answer calls from numbers that I don’t know, and Oprah’s number comes up unknown,” Henson shared. “Tyler Perry hit me and was like, ‘Are you answering your phone?’ I was like, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Girl, just answer the phone!’ I’ll never forget the day. I was so nervous. What do you say to Oprah? I was practicing my, ‘Hi! Hello! Yes, Oprah!’ And finally, she came on the phone and told me, ‘Shug Avery is coming to town!’ It was the best moment ever.”
Taraji P. Henson & Oprah Winfrey Promote “The Color Purple”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 25: (L-R) Taraji P. Henson, Oprah Winfrey and Danielle Brooks walk offstage after promoting the upcoming film “The Color Purple” during the Warner Bros. Pictures Studio presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Henson also revealed she previously shot down being involved in a Broadway adaptation out of fear she “was going to blow out [her] vocal chords.” This time around, she felt she could handle the burden. She explained: “You go in the studio, you sing the song, and then they play it on the set. So you don’t have to really sing full-out. It’s the difference between singing that one time in the studio (and) singing eight nights in a row on Broadway.”
Outside of Henson, the film stars Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino. The Color Purple will hit theaters on December 25, 2023. Be on the lookout for further updates on the movie on HotNewHipHop.
Film adaptations are typically quite polarizing, as it’s easy to butcher the source material. However, an adaptation is especially thrilling when it’s a revival of a classic film. This is the case for the upcoming The Color Purple. Based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker, the first film adaptation of The Color Purple was released in 1985. It featured a star-studded cast and was directed by veteran filmmaker, Steven Spielberg.
In the years since then, the film has come to be widely regarded as a classic. Furthermore, its success inspired the creation of the similarly named Tony Award-winning musical. It is on this Broadway musical that the upcoming 2023 musical film is based. With an exciting new cast, The Color Purple is set to be theatrically released soon.
The Color Purple revolves around Celie, an African-American woman in the early 20th century. She has a troubled upbringing and faces severe abuse and oppression both in childhood and adulthood. Throughout the story, Celie struggles with her identity and self-worth as she deals with years of trauma. However, she comes to find strength through her relationships with other women.
As Celie navigates her challenging life, the story explores important themes such as racism, sexism, and the power of female friendships. Through her journey, Celie gradually gains confidence and independence, breaking free from the chains of oppression. While the story can be quite sad and dark at certain points, it is also incredibly empowering and emotionally charged. Furthermore, since the upcoming film remake is a musical, it promises to be punctuated with several great musical renditions.
The Trailers
On May 22, 2023, the first trailer for The Color Purple was released, giving audiences their first look at the film. Without giving too much a way, the trailer highlights the key themes of the film, as well as most of its central characters. Additionally, the relationship between sisters Celie and Nettie is put front and center, showcasing their bond. The second trailer reveals a little bit more, with Celie and Nettie’s relationship still at the heart of it. While a lot is still yet to be seen, one thing can be said for sure, and it is that the film features stunning visuals. On its teaser poster, the film is described as “A bold new take on the beloved classic.”
Oprah Winfrey, a co-producer on the film, told Essence in a recent interview, “I think women in particular will be healed from this movie and its portrayal of sisterhood.” Winfrey portrayed Sofia in the 1985 film adaptation, and subsequently helped bring the broadway musical to life. Overall, the film promises to depict a strong message of sisterhood, and we are here for it.
In The Color Purple, Fantasia Barrino, in her film debut, stars as the leading woman, Celie. Rounding off the main cast are Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Gabriella Wilson (H.E.R.) as Squeak, and Colman Domingo as Mister. Other central characters include young Nettie, played by Halle Bailey, older Nettie played by Ciara, and young Celie played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi. Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Batiste, and Tamela Mann among others, also star in supporting roles. Evidently, the cast is as impressive as they come. Under Blitz Bazawule’s direction, the performances are expected to be just as impressive.
Release Date
The Color Purple is slated to be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. The cast and crew have only had great things to say about the film. Furthermore, with the new trailer, audiences are even more excited to see it. Hopefully it does justice to the acclaimed, Tony-winning musical.
Halle Bailey says that the set for The Color Purple felt like a “family reunion.” She reflected on the making of the second film adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel during a recent interview with Cosmopolitan.
“Set was like going to a cookout – it felt like a family reunion, honestly, like you’re surrounded by your aunties and cousins,” she said. “I was just excited to be there as a fan of everyone. The movie is a labor of love. I mean, we all care so much about the original story and really wanted to do a good job with this reimagining.”
Halle Bailey At The Premiere Of “The Little Mermaid”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Halle Bailey attends the World Premiere of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on May 08, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Bailey also praised the performances from the rest of the cast, which is rounded out by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and more. “People are going to lose their minds over Fantasia’s and Taraji’s performances. I get chills just thinking about it,” she teased. Bailey also revealed that she auditioned while working on The Little Mermaid. “I’m just in awe. I’ve loved The Color Purple ever since I was a little girl. I mean, it’s a Black family staple,” she further shared. “When I heard that they were doing a remake, I was like, I hope they get somebody to do it right because it’s something that we have to keep safe. This story, this movie that’s lived on so long and has had such amazing talent come out of it, it’s really cool.” Check out the trailer for the movie below.
Halle Bailey Stars In “The Color Purple”
The Color Purple will hit theaters on Christmas Day, December 25th, later this year. In addition to the movie, Bailey has also confirmed that she plans on dropping her debut solo EP before 2024. Be on the lookout for further updates on Bailey’s future projects on HotNewHipHop.
Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a “bold new take on the beloved classic” The Color Purple. The forthcoming film is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones.
The film will star Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker, and based on the musical stage play by Marsha Norma. The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott and Michael Beugg.
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film worldwide and open in North America on Christmas Day.
For much of her life, singer and actress Halle Bailey has worked creatively alongside her older sister Chlöe. From making YouTube videos, to getting signed to Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment label as Chloe x Halle, to acting on Freeform’s hit TV series, Grown-ish, the two have been a dynamic duo.
Over the past two years, the two have embarked on separate endeavors. They are both working on solo music and movies of their own. In 2019, Halle was announced to play Ariel in the live adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Production was often delayed, but took place during late 2020 and early into 2021. When the film wrapped last summer, Halle immediately went to film her parts for a remake of The Color Purple, in which she will play Nettie.
The Color Purple contains darker themes than The Little Mermaid, however, Halle revealed to Variety that while filming The Color Purple, she drew from the pain of being in London filming The Little Mermaid, and not being able to see Chlöe, who was in the US for much of that time.
“She couldn’t visit me; everything was on lockdown,” Halle said, “and it was that agony, that pain of being pulled away from something that’s like your arm, so I was pulling from that.”
The Little Mermaid will arrive to theaters on May 23, 2023 and The Color Purple will premiere on December 20, 2023.
Jon Batiste is having the biggest year of his lengthy career in 2022. He kicked things off by winning five Grammy awards including Album Of The Year earlier this month. He received the honor thanks to the critical acclaim behind his sixth album We Are. Now, Batiste is gearing to bring that same success to the big screen as it was recently announced that he would be making his acting debut in the remake of The Color Purple. According to Deadline, Batiste will play Grady, a sweet-talking and charming piano man who is also the husband of Shug Avery (played by Taraji P. Henson).
The Color Purple remake has been in the works since 2018. Steven Spielberg (who directed the 1985 film), Quincy Jones (who produced that same take), and Oprah Winfrey (who was nominated for an Oscar as Sofia) are listed as the producers for the remake. Blitz Bazawule, who directed Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King, signed on as a director and Marcus Gardley from The Chi is writing the show’s script.
Batiste joins Ciara, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in the upcoming film’s cast with the latter two reprising their roles of Celie and Sofia. Other names in the case for The Color Purple remake include Colman Domingo who will play Celie’s abusive husband, Mister, Halle Bailey who will play the young version of Celie’s sister, Nettie, and HER who will play Squeak.
Ciara is the latest celebrity to be added to the star-studded roster of the upcoming movie musical, “The Color Purple” The Grammy winner, New York Times Best Seller, author, and actress will play the adult version of Nettie while Halle Bailey plays the younger Nettie. Ciara reacted on Twitter by writing “ Honored to be a part of this beautiful ensemble and historic girl, The Color Purple. Truly grateful. The movie musical, produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, features an ensemble cast, which includes Fantasia Barrino as Cellie, Danielle Brooks as Sophia, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, and H.E.R as Squeak, just to name a few, and is set to begin filming in Georgia in April. This is not the first acting role for Ciara, she has also appeared in MTV’s ‘All You’ve Got, the musical ‘Mama, I Want to Sing!,’ and the 2012 Adam Sandler comedy ‘That’s My Boy.’ She also had a recurring role in season 6 of the BET sitcom ‘The Game. We look forward to seeing Ciara on the big screen.
Honored to be a part of this beautiful ensemble and historic film, The Color Purple. Truly grateful https://t.co/b9A1KvRJbD
HER is a woman of many talents, and she’s looking to expand to a different part of the entertainment world. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the singer will appear in her first Hollywood film, namely director Blitz Bazawule’s new adaptation of the musical version of The Color Purple. HER will play Squeak, who progresses from a juke joint waitress to an aspiring singer. HER is working with the filmmakers to possibly create an original song for the movie as well. As for Bazawule, he was also the filmmaker behind the Beyonce-led film Black Is King.
Corey Hawkins from In The Heights will also star in the film. Oprah Winfrey, who earned an Oscar nomination for the 1985 (non-musical) film version will produce the film through her Harpo Films banner while Steven Spielberg, who directed that movie , is also listed as a producer. The Color Purple is set for a release on December 20, 2023.
While the film will be HER’s first acting role, it will continue the recent success she’s had in the film industry. Earlier this year, she landed her first Oscar for “Fight For You,” which appeared in the Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Steinfield-led film Judas And The Black Messiah. The win brought her halfway to the coveted EGOT award as she already has four Grammys to her name.
