ABFF 2023 Red Carpet Exclusive: Danielle Brooks on The Color Purple
At the 2023 American Black Film Festival, director Blitz Bazawule along with Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson came to show a featurette from their film, The Color Purple.
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule (“Black Is King,” “The Burial of Kojo”) and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. The film is set to open in theaters in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.
“The Color Purple” stars Fantasia as 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, Phylicia Mpasi as young Celie Harris Johnson, Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery, Aunjanue Ellis as Mama, 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 and Jamaal Avery Jr. as Young Harpo.
Blackfilmandtv.com spoke with Danielle Brooks on her role as Harpo.
So, what's it like to play the same role again but on film?
Danielle Brooks: This is the most exciting part of my career thus far because people get to witness what I did or a portion of what I did on Broadway. And so getting to do that with the backing of Miss O herself and Steven Spielberg and Blitz means a huge deal for me as well. Yeah, it's the highlight right now.
Is it the same muscle when you're recreating some scenes where you have to pull all out?
Danielle Brooks: Oh, I think so. It does come from the same muscle. But the difference is the elements now. So, for example, you know, when we're on Broadway I'm having to use my imagination, you know. But in this, I'm actually at a plantation. You're actually surrounded by trees where I have to think about our brothers and sisters who might have perished on those trees. So the deepness is just richer because of the surroundings. So, yeah, it's a different, same muscle but just different elements that bring out different things.
Working opposite Corey, classmate of yours. What's that dynamic like?
Danielle Brooks: The best ever. I love working with Corey. I would work with him 300 times. I would love for our career to be some bit of what Viola and Denzel have been for each other in the stories that they tell together because I would work with him 100 times over. And I think people are going to be so happy to see his work in this as well because he's just so multifaceted in what he does. And so every show, movie he does, I think people are like, Whoa, you can do that too? You can do that? I'm happy for him.
Fantasia's played it before, but different time periods. So what was that dynamic like when you talked about it? When she played it and when you played it.
Danielle Brooks: The crazy thing about when Fantasia played it in 2005, that was my first Broadway show. I didn't see Fantasia in it, but I saw Liz Shostak. And that changed my life. That was the moment I said, I want to do this as a profession. I got to figure out how to get to New York. And then 10 years later, I starred in it as well. And so I hope that with people seeing this film, there is some young girl that feels represented with who I am that wants to do this and feels moved to do this thing we call acting and pretending.
And lastly, working with Blitz, what did you get out of his direction that helps you as an actress?
Danielle Brooks: Walking with grace. I will always say grace. There were so many moments that he could have lashed out at people, crew, actors, the situation, because we were shooting it during COVID. But the way that he handled everything with grace and dignity and just patience, I will forever have. He has my utmost respect.