The highly anticipated movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple is set for a Christmas release, featuring an ensemble cast including Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, and H.E.R. in key roles. Oprah Winfrey, a producer on the film, discussed the challenges faced during filming in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The substantial budget, ranging from $90 to $100 million, brought expectations for high-profile stars like Beyoncé or Rihanna. Winfrey emphasized that capable actors, including the current cast, were well-suited for the roles, highlighting the pressure associated with the film’s financial scale. Winfrey stated,
“To be completely honest about it, if you were doing this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different,” she explained. “Once the film moved to $90 to $100 million, then everybody wants us to bring Beyoncé. ‘Can you get Beyoncé, or can you get Rihanna?’ So we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’”
“I do remember conversations about, ‘Y’all, Beyoncé is going to be busy this year.’ It wasn’t even a negotiation because you’re not getting Beyoncé.”
Winfrey’s observation appears accurate. Filming for The Color Purple supposedly commenced in early 2022, coinciding with Beyoncé’s debut of her RENAISSANCE album a few months later. Rihanna also embraced a new role as a mother during that year.
Despite these developments, the film secured director Blitz Bazawule, known for collaborating with Beyoncé on the 2020 Lion King visual album Black Is King. The soundtrack is set to feature contributions from Halle Bailey, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, Usher, Jorja Smith, and other notable artists.
Winfrey, serving as the executive producer for the latest adaptation, brings together a star-studded cast including Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and Fantasia Barrino in the lead role of Celie. The film is set to grace the big screen just in time to conclude the holiday season.
Barrino was recently celebrated at Variety’s Power of Women ceremony, presented by Lifetime, recognizing her reprisal of the role after 15 years since her Broadway debut. Winfrey, introducing Barrino, commended her pivotal role in bringing the new adaptation of “The Color Purple” to life. Reflecting on Fantasia’s earlier portrayal on Broadway, Winfrey remarked on the exceptional triumph witnessed in her re-embodying, re-imagining, and re-inventing the character of Celie for the film.