Fantasia Taylor, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey and Colman Domingo Cast In Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple”
Fantasia Taylor and Danielle Brooks will reprise their respective roles in Celie and Sofia from the stage musical to Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple.” In addition, Halle Bailey (grown-ish) has cast been as a Young Nettie and Colman Domingo (Zola) will play Mister.
Taylor made her Broadway debut in 2007 following her “American Idol” win, and Brooks earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia in the 2015 revival.
Taylor and Brooks’ casting was announced on Thursday as part of the ABC News special “Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising.”
The upcoming Warner Bros. movie is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which is itself an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The production is directed by Bazawule, best known for his work on Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” “The Burial of Kojo” and “Cherish the Day.” Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”) wrote the screenplay, based on Walker’s novel, the 1985 film and the stage musical (with a book by Marsha Norman, and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray).
Oprah Winfrey made her feature acting debut as Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version and is producing the new movie under her Harpo Films banner; Spielberg also returns to produce for his Amblin Entertainment. Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, both of whom produced the Broadway musical, are also producers. Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Mara Jacobs, Carla Gardini, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Fell are executive producers.
Earlier this week, Taraji P. Henson had joined the cast as Shug Avery. The new cast members join previously announced stars Corey Hawkins (who will take on the role of Harpo), and Oscar and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (who was cast as Squeak).
Choreography will be by Fatima Robinson.