‘The Color Purple’ Musical Adaptation Is Heading To The Big Screen

We know we still have a way to go before winter, but we are already looking forward to Christmas. That’s because we have a star-studded version of The Color Purple heading our way. The film based on the book by Alice Walker is about the lifelong struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s. This upcoming adaptation is unique because it’s a musical version of the film.

The original film adaptation of Walker’s book, which Steven Spielberg directed released in 1985 and is a classic to this day. There were also some notable names in this version as well. Whoopi Goldberg played the lead role of Celie Johnson, Oprah Winfrey played Sofia, and Danny Glover played Celie’s cruel husband, Albert, AKA “Mister.”

The new version of The Color Purple, which Blitz Bazawule directs, is described as “a bold new take on the beloved classic,” The Color Purple musical adaptation looks like it will be amazing. The trailer is so vibrant, and it seems like it will do a great job of showcasing not just the struggles of black women but also the sisterhood and the joys of being one. As a fan of the original film, I am beyond excited about this new version. The musical ran on Broadway from 2005 to 2008 then had a revival from 2015 through 2017. I didn’t see the stage version but would have loved to, so I am glad it was adapted for the big screen.

As I mentioned above, this new version of The Color Purple will be star-studded, so there is no doubt that people won’t enjoy it. In The Color Purple is Fantasia Barrino in the lead role of Celie, Colman Domingo as Albert/”Mister,” Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, and Danielle Brooks, who will reprise her original role in the musical as Sofia. In addition, the film also stars Halle Bailey (whom we will see soon in the live-action version of The Little Mermaid) as the young Nettie, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the young Celie, Elizabeth Marvel, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Corey Hawkins, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Stephen Hill, Deon Cole, Ciara, H.E.R., Tamela J. Mann, Jon Batiste, and Charles Green.