There’s been a real trend of movies becoming musicals and then making the transition back to theaters. For The Color Purple, has some top people attached both in front of and behind the camera. And you’d expect nothing less, given that Alice Walker won a Pulitzer for her novel in 1982 and that Steven Spielberg turned it into a movie in 1985 that garnered 11 Academy Award nominations. The musical adaptation itself got Tony nominations, so you’d be right to think that hopes are high for the new musical film version. Watch the latest trailer…
The story, adapted this time by Marcus Gardley (and using Marsha Norman’s musical book) follows the journey of Celie (Fantasia Barrino), an African-American woman in the deep South of the early to mid-20th century. Celie struggles to find her identity after being abused by her stepfather, husband and others over the course of four decades.
With Blitz Bazawule in the director’s chair and the star of the original films Oprah Winfrey this time among the producers, the cast also includes Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Corey Hawkins, HER, Danielle Brooks and Halle Bailey. It remains to be seen whether this will continue the trophy (or at least the nomination) of the magnet.
The Color Purple (the UK release retains the US spelling) is due in cinemas here on January 26, a month after its US release on Christmas Day.
