On Monday, Warner Bros. released the first trailer for its movie ‘The Color Purple’. Hailey Bailey stars along with Fantasia Barrino in this highly anticipated movie.
Oprah and Spielberg with Quincy Jones have reunited for the yet-to-be-released movie, an adaptation of the 2004 musical. They were also a part of the original movie made in 1985. Scott Sanders, who produced the musical version of ‘The Color Purple’, also joins them.
The Little Mermaid actress, Hailey Bailey is playing Nettie Harris. While Barrino plays Celie’s character, the titular character role is being played by Danielle Brooks who was part of the 2015 musical.
The movie also includes a star-studded cast including, Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R. Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Colman Domingo and Corey Hawkins. Described as a daring and fresh take on a classic, The Color Purple is set to introduce a new generation of young people to the harsh realities of the early 1900s.
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Winner’s story
Alice Walker’s story ‘The Color Purple’ was released in 1982 and received instant recognition. It won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction followed by the National Book Award for Fiction.
The book is about Celie, a poor African American girl living in Georgia in the 1900s. Written in a series of letters to God, Celie describes the abuse she goes through by her father and husband. The coming-of-age movie tracks her journey as she slowly gains her power back with the help of her friendship with the women near her.
Walker’s novel addressed issues of oppression, abuse and gender equality. The journey of Celie finding her footing and gaining independence is inspiring. Although a work of fiction, many people have gone through similar situations at that time period.
A much loved and reprised franchise
The movie is a remake of a musical that was based on a 1982 classic novel by Alice Walker by the same name. Three years after the book, Steven Speilberg directed and produced a movie with Oprah who also starred in it as Sofia. The academy award nominated movie also has Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Danny Glover as Albert and Akosua Busia as Nettie Harris.
The book was remade into a musical in 2004 which was written by Marsha Norman. Music and lyrics for the musical were provided by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis. With 11 Tony nominations, the musical was a hit and received the Best Musical Revival award while Brooks received the Best Actress award.
The Color Purple’s journey did not end with the musical. In 2008, BBC Radio 4, broadcasted the novel in 15-minute episodes. This version of the book has Nadine Marshall as Celie along with Nikki Amuka Bird, Eamonn Walker and Nina Sosanya. In 2009, the radio production of The Color Purple received the Sony Radio Academy Awards’ Silver Drama Award.
The new movie is set to be released on Christmas day of December 25th 2024.
