The Color Purple (2023) cast synopsis, trailer, release date and more
It’s time to check out a new take on a beloved classic novel and film. The first trailer is out for the brand new musical remake of Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple. Find out when it premieres and who stars in it!
The Color Purple began as a novel by Alice Walker. Published in 1982, it won Walker the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for Fiction as well as a huge bestseller. In 1985, Steven Spielberg adapted it into an acclaimed box office hit starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover and Rae Dawn Chong. It earned eleven Academy Award nominations (although Spielberg was snubbed for Best Director) but failed to earn a single win.
In 2005, a Broadway musical adaptation based on the novel and film ran for three years. In 2015, a revival won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. It’s this version that will now be the focus of a new movie adaptation directed by Blitz Bazawule from a screenplay by Marcus Gradley. Spielberg, Winfrey, Quincy Jones, and Scott Sanders (producer of the stage musical) are producers here.
What is The Color Purple about?
The story centers on Celie and Nettie, two sisters living in 1909. Each woman endures horrible abuse at the hands of their father, with Celie married to the domineering Mister Johnson and the sisters separated. The story unfolds over the next few decades as Celie bonds with blues singer Shug Avery while trying to reconnect with Nettie and see the changes in the American landscape.
It’s much the same ground trod by the original film, only now adding original songs to the drama. That makes for a more lively take on the original story.
Who stars in The Color Purple?
The big name in the cast is Fantasia Barrino as Celie. It’s notable as the American Idol winner played the role on Broadway. Phylicia Mpasi plays the younger Celie. Meanwhile, superstar singer Ciara plays Nettie with Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) as the younger Nettie.
Taraji P. Henson plays Shug with Colman Domingo as “Mister” Johnson. H.E.R. is Mary Agnes, and Corey Hawkins plays Johnnson’s son, Harpo. Among the notable faces is Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr as the elder Mister Johnson.
- Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris Johnson
- Phylicia Mpasi as young Celie Harris Johnson
- Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery
- Danielle Brooks as Sofia
- Colman Domingo as Albert “Mister” Johnson
- Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson
- H.E.R. as Mary Agnes (“Squeak”)
- Ciara as Nettie Harris
- Halle Bailey as young Nettie Harris
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama
- Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister Johnson
- David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery
- Tamela J. Mann as First Lady
- Deon Cole as Alfonso
- Stephen Hill as Henry “Buster” Broadnax
- Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie
- Jon Batiste as Grady
When does The Color Purple premiere in theaters?
The film is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day and likely is going to be a serious Oscar contender. Check out the trailer below to see this fresh take on a classic story that should be a major emotional experience for moviegoers.
The Color Purple premieres in theaters on December 25, 2023.