It’s safe to say the movie theaters are really popping again. Whether you made it out to see superhero greatness with Spiderman: No Way Home or are planning on losing your mind laughing to flicks like Jackass Forever this coming weekend, playing it safe and going to see epic cinematic dope content on the big screen is the ultimate flex - and date night - all over again. So it’s only right we get excited about the production of The Color Purple musical film coming together including some major casting news.

Details are just now spreading and as a personal fanatic of all things entertainment, notably Hollywood movies, it’s a pleasure to share these details to you loyal Attack The Culture heads. Stay tuned for more as they come!

Production begins this March in Atlanta. Fantasia Taylor has been cast as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Mister and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie.

THE CAST

• The all-new cast, who are uplifted and inspired by the brilliant actors who have embodied these beloved characters before them, includes:

  • Newly announced

    • Fantasia Taylor (Celie)

    • Halle Bailey (Young Nettie)

    • Danielle Brooks (Sofia)

    • Colman Domingo (Mister)

  • Previously announced

    • Taraji P. Henson (Shug Avery)

    • Corey Hawkins (Harpo)

    • Singer-songwriter H.E.R. will make her acting debut (Squeak)

THE FILMMAKING TEAM

• The film will be directed by Blitz Bazawule.

  • Blitz's feature directorial debut The Burial Of Kojo premiered on Netflix in 2019 via Ava DuVernay’s Array Films. He was also a director on Ava’s Cherish the Day for Own.

  • He also co-directed Beyoncé's Black Is King which earned him a Grammy nomination in 2020.

• Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones have reunited and are partnered with Scott Sanders (who developed and produced the Broadway stage musical) to form the producing team of The Color Purple musical film 

• The film will be executive produced by Alice Walker (author of the novel), Rebecca Walker, Mara Jacobs, Carla Gardini, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Fell.

• The script is by Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”), based on Alice Walker’s book, the 1985 Warner Bros. Pictures film, and the stage musical.

• Choreography will be by Fatima Robinson
  

ABOUT THE FILM

The Color Purple will come to theaters around the globe in December 2023. Production begins this March in Atlanta.

It is a story of triumph over adversity and is one of the most beloved, celebrated and inspiring family stories in our culture today - it has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. 

This fresh cinematic re-imagining of The Color Purple - featuring magical realism, music and dancing to tell the story - will delight lovers of earlier versions of The Color Purple as well as introduce these beloved characters to an entirely new generation of fans.

This new musical feature of The Color Purple is a screen adaptation of the stage musical which has been recognized with Tony Award, Grammy Award and Emmy Award wins.