The Color Purple musical film adaptation is starring Danielle Brooks as Sofia, the role that brought her an Tony Award nomination in 2016.
Film adaptation 2023 of The Color Purple has been cast Peacemaker actor Danielle Brooks. The film is directed by Blitz Bazawule it is the second film adaptation to the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of Alice Walker, following the 1985 film which was directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie is expected to feature Taraji Shelton as Shug Avery, Taraji. Henson as Shug Avery, Fantasia Barrino as Celie and the singer H.E.R.. Brooks, most well-known for her performance in the movie Tasha on Orange is the New Black, currently plays with John Cena in Peacemaker. She also appeared on the stage in the Broadway adaptation of the critically acclaimed musical The Color Purple musical, playing Sofia in a role which resulted in an Tony Award nomination for Best actor in a Musical with a Featured Performance.
Brooks is set to reprise her character as Sofia in the forthcoming film On February 3, Oprah Winfrey shocked the actor via zoom to announce the information with her. Winfrey has played the character in the first film in 1985, the Color Purple film, announced on Twitter that she was willing to give up the role. Winfrey shares with an emotionally stricken Brooks, “I am here representing all things purple to tell you that you are our Sofia,” then saying, “I know you’re gonna smash it. ” Watch their exchange as well as Brooks react below.
Sofia will always have my heart and I am ready to pass the purple baton on to the incredible @thedanieb who will bring her version to a new generation. See y’all at the movies when The Color Purple: The Musical hits theaters on December 20, 2023! pic.twitter.com/XkOh6b16Qu
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 4, 2022
With the original film The Color Purple director Steven Spielberg as well as his plans to produce alongside Winfrey herself Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones, the new film musical adaptation is bound to generate an anticipation. It was Spielberg’s huge box office film that earned eleven Academy Award nominations.
Also Read: Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck had a ‘bit of fear’ about rekindling their romance
The 1985 version of The Color Purple was criticised by some for its stance as an account of the struggles of Black women during the 20th century. The film was directed by an white male director. With Bazawule as the director on the film means that this version of The Color Purple will be presented from a different perspective that is able to comprehend what it means to be a part of the Black community and its experience.
Additionally, Brooks’ casting will most likely please those who watched her highly acclaimed Broadway performance, and could lead to awards nominations for the actor. It will be fascinating to see how the actress is able to approach her new role in film Color Purple film after her role in a stage production as well as audiences will get to witness Brooks in the role of Sofia when the film is released in the coming year.
Also Read: Kylie Jenner Cradles Her Baby Bump in Behind-the-Scenes Photo for Family’s New Hulu Series