Tiwa Savage has long held a unique position in African music as the leading female artist in the Afrobeats genius. After headlining global tours, collaborating with Beyoncé and Brandy and championing newcomers, Savage Tiwa is embarking on her next venture: starring in and executive producing her debut full-length feature film, “Water and Garri.”
The film, slated for global debut on Prime Video on May 10, follows Aisha, a successful fashion designer, as she returns to Nigeria after a decade in the United States. She’s taken aback by the profound changes that have swept through her homeland and the people she once knew. Set to the evocative soundtrack of the same name, Aisha’s journey unfolds to reveal poignant cultural shifts. The accompanying soundtrack is a key component of the experience, as the film’s tracklisting mirrors Aisha’s interactions and feelings throughout.
The soundtrack makes heavy use of live instrumentation...
The film, slated for global debut on Prime Video on May 10, follows Aisha, a successful fashion designer, as she returns to Nigeria after a decade in the United States. She’s taken aback by the profound changes that have swept through her homeland and the people she once knew. Set to the evocative soundtrack of the same name, Aisha’s journey unfolds to reveal poignant cultural shifts. The accompanying soundtrack is a key component of the experience, as the film’s tracklisting mirrors Aisha’s interactions and feelings throughout.
The soundtrack makes heavy use of live instrumentation...
- 5/7/2024
- by Emanuel Okusanya
- Variety Film + TV
El elenco de voces incluye a Beyoncé y a su hija. © Disney
Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler y póster de “Mufasa: El Rey León”, la nueva película, la precuela de animación fotorrealista del remake de la película de 1994 “El Rey León”, que se estrenó en 2019.
En “Mufasa: El Rey León”, Rafiki debe transmitir la leyenda de Mufasa a la joven cachorro de león Kiara, hija de Simba y Nala, con Timón y Pumba aportando su estilo característico. La historia se cuenta en flashbacks y presenta a Mufasa como un cachorro huérfano, perdido y solo hasta que conoce a un simpático león llamado Taka, heredero de un linaje real. Este encuentro fortuito pone en marcha el viaje de un extraordinario grupo de inadaptados que buscan su destino y sus lazos se pondrán a prueba mientras trabajan juntos para escapar de un enemigo amenazador y letal.
Las voces que dan...
Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler y póster de “Mufasa: El Rey León”, la nueva película, la precuela de animación fotorrealista del remake de la película de 1994 “El Rey León”, que se estrenó en 2019.
En “Mufasa: El Rey León”, Rafiki debe transmitir la leyenda de Mufasa a la joven cachorro de león Kiara, hija de Simba y Nala, con Timón y Pumba aportando su estilo característico. La historia se cuenta en flashbacks y presenta a Mufasa como un cachorro huérfano, perdido y solo hasta que conoce a un simpático león llamado Taka, heredero de un linaje real. Este encuentro fortuito pone en marcha el viaje de un extraordinario grupo de inadaptados que buscan su destino y sus lazos se pondrán a prueba mientras trabajan juntos para escapar de un enemigo amenazador y letal.
Las voces que dan...
- 5/2/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
Warner Bros. Lands ‘Black Samurai’ Movie From ‘The Color Purple’ Director Blitz Bazawule (Exclusive)
In a competitive situation, Warner Bros. has landed “The Color Purple” director Blitz Bazawule’s next project, which takes on the legendary Yasuke, an African warrior who became the first Black samurai.
Sources tell Variety that Warner Bros. beat out three other studios and streamers’ bids on the script, tentatively titled “Black Samurai,” which Bazawule wrote on spec and will direct and produce under his Inward Gaze banner.
After impressing the industry with his 2018 debut “The Burial of Kojo,” helming episodes of Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” and working with Beyoncé on her feature-length visual album “Black Is King,” Bazawule made his major studio debut with 2023’s “The Color Purple.”
The Ghanaian filmmaker, who brought his unique visual language to the Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg-produced musical movie, is said to have done the same with his take on Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo...
Sources tell Variety that Warner Bros. beat out three other studios and streamers’ bids on the script, tentatively titled “Black Samurai,” which Bazawule wrote on spec and will direct and produce under his Inward Gaze banner.
After impressing the industry with his 2018 debut “The Burial of Kojo,” helming episodes of Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” and working with Beyoncé on her feature-length visual album “Black Is King,” Bazawule made his major studio debut with 2023’s “The Color Purple.”
The Ghanaian filmmaker, who brought his unique visual language to the Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg-produced musical movie, is said to have done the same with his take on Yasuke, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo...
- 4/10/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
When Beyoncé unveiled the American flag-bearing cover of her latest album, Act ii: Cowboy Carter, some heralded the imagery as a “reclamation” of the flag’s symbolism, while others pointed to its connection to Texas’ Black Cowboys and Rodeo culture. Others, however, saw the flag as a symbol of America’s history of racism and imperialism, particularly fraught with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The sentiment trails the outrage stoked by her silence on “Break My Soul” being adopted as a war cry by pro-Idf Israelis in December.
- 4/2/2024
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
The NAACP Image Awards announced its fifth round of winners in non-televised categories on Friday, which were presented amid a fashion show hosted by Brandee Evans.
Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple swept all three categories, with Francine Jamison-Tanchuck winning outstanding costume design; Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson and Jorge Benitez Villalobos winning outstanding hairstyling; and Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila and Milene Melendez winning outstanding makeup.
June Ambrose was also honored at the event with the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion. The costume designer is known for her work across over 200 music videos by artists including Missy Elliott, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z; she also designed wardrobes for the latter during the On the Run tours and in Beyoncé’s Black Is King. She also notably served as a costume designer for Hype Williams’ feature directorial debut Belly in...
Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple swept all three categories, with Francine Jamison-Tanchuck winning outstanding costume design; Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson and Jorge Benitez Villalobos winning outstanding hairstyling; and Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila and Milene Melendez winning outstanding makeup.
June Ambrose was also honored at the event with the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion. The costume designer is known for her work across over 200 music videos by artists including Missy Elliott, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z; she also designed wardrobes for the latter during the On the Run tours and in Beyoncé’s Black Is King. She also notably served as a costume designer for Hype Williams’ feature directorial debut Belly in...
- 3/16/2024
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By the mid-2010s, Daymé Arocena had become a household name in her native Havana. She’d been called “the world’s next jazz phenomenon,” and her work with the Cuban-Canadian jazz band Maqueque helped win a 2015 Juno Award. When she’d walk down the street, people would stop her, recognizing her as the singer with the powerful, heart-atomizing voice. At restaurants, fans would come up to her and greet her enthusiastically. “I’d built a reputation there,” she remembers. “But I started to feel like I’d hit a ceiling in Cuba.
- 2/22/2024
- by Julyssa Lopez
- Rollingstone.com
Directed by Blitz Bazawule from a script by Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker’s novel comes to life on the big screen once again with this stage-to-screen adaptation of the classic coming-of-age story. Fantasia Barrino leads the cast in her feature film debut as Celie, who, despite a life of hardships (from personal to societal), finds strength and solace in sisterhood. Featuring an A-list ensemble including Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and more, the Oscar-nominated “The Color Purple” makes its streaming debut on Max on Friday, Feb. 16. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max.
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Event cinema title Dear England is the widest new release at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, playing in 716 UK venues through National Theatre Live.
The play first screened in 694 venues yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. As well as cinemas, it is screening in many non-cinema venues such as community centres and village halls.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 European Championships, and the 2022 World Cup.
Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Joseph Fiennes as England manager Gareth Southgate,...
The play first screened in 694 venues yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. As well as cinemas, it is screening in many non-cinema venues such as community centres and village halls.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 European Championships, and the 2022 World Cup.
Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Joseph Fiennes as England manager Gareth Southgate,...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Event cinema title Dear England is the widest new release at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, playing in around 800 UK cinemas through National Theatre Live.
The play first screened in 694 cinemas yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. The exact weekend location number is to be confirmed; should it be above the 777 sites of James Bond film No Time To Die from 2021, it would be the widest opening ever in UK-Ireland cinemas.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup,...
The play first screened in 694 cinemas yesterday (Thursday 25), grossing £541,000 with several venues still to report. The exact weekend location number is to be confirmed; should it be above the 777 sites of James Bond film No Time To Die from 2021, it would be the widest opening ever in UK-Ireland cinemas.
Dear England is a recording of James Graham’s play, following the fortunes of the England men’s football team across three tournaments: the 2018 World Cup,...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond when “The Color Purple” arrives for purchase Digitally at home on January 16. This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. The film will also be available to purchase on 4K Uhd, Blu-ray and DVD on March 12. “The Color Purple” is directed by Blitz Bazawule from a screenplay by acclaimed playwright and WGA Award winner Marcus Gardley (“The Maid”). Bazawule is a Ghanaian multimedia artist who ... Read more...
- 1/16/2024
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
It's that time of year again: the fuzzy window between Christmas and New Year's Eve where nobody really knows what they're supposed to be doing. Fortunately for the box office, some people have decided that the thing they're supposed to be doing is going out to see a movie. And fortunately for Timothée Chalamet's whimsical titular chocolate-maker, the plurality of those people have decided that the movie they should go and see is "Wonka."
The musical prequel film from "Paddington"/"Paddington 2" director Paul King premiered two weekends ago in the U.S. (and a week earlier internationally). It was knocked down to second place at the box office by "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" over the Christmas weekend, but now it's back on top heading into the four-day New Year's weekend. Per Variety, "Wonka" added another $8.6 million to its domestic gross on Friday -- an increase of 32% from...
The musical prequel film from "Paddington"/"Paddington 2" director Paul King premiered two weekends ago in the U.S. (and a week earlier internationally). It was knocked down to second place at the box office by "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" over the Christmas weekend, but now it's back on top heading into the four-day New Year's weekend. Per Variety, "Wonka" added another $8.6 million to its domestic gross on Friday -- an increase of 32% from...
- 12/30/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Venerated TV host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey will sit down with Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino — who star in the big-screen musical adaptation of The Color Purple — for a trio of OWN Spotlight specials set to air in January.
Each hour-long presentation will feature a candid conversation centered around the actress’ respective roles as Shug Avery, Sofia and Celie in the new film executive-produced by Oprah and directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King, Cherish the Day). “The women reflect on the making of the highly anticipated movie,” the logline reads, “how it changed their lives...
Each hour-long presentation will feature a candid conversation centered around the actress’ respective roles as Shug Avery, Sofia and Celie in the new film executive-produced by Oprah and directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King, Cherish the Day). “The women reflect on the making of the highly anticipated movie,” the logline reads, “how it changed their lives...
- 12/28/2023
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Christmas weekend at the box office was looking potentially disastrous for some movies, with no fewer than nine wide releases over the extended four-day period. Turns out that some movies did far better than others, and Warner Bros. had an especially good weekend. Read on for the weekend box office report.
Considering that 2018’s “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa, grossed $1.1 billion worldwide after an opening weekend of $67.9 million in 4,125 theaters, there were hopes that its sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” might be one of the weekend’s big movies.
See‘The Sting’ turns 50: Robert Shaw stole the picture from Paul Newman and Robert Redford
It was indeed the number-one movie of the weekend, but with lousy advance tracking and poor reviews, expectations were lowered considerably, and it failed even to achieve those. “The Lost Kingdom” ended up making just $4.5 million in Thursday previews and $27.7 million over the three-day weekend...
Considering that 2018’s “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa, grossed $1.1 billion worldwide after an opening weekend of $67.9 million in 4,125 theaters, there were hopes that its sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” might be one of the weekend’s big movies.
See‘The Sting’ turns 50: Robert Shaw stole the picture from Paul Newman and Robert Redford
It was indeed the number-one movie of the weekend, but with lousy advance tracking and poor reviews, expectations were lowered considerably, and it failed even to achieve those. “The Lost Kingdom” ended up making just $4.5 million in Thursday previews and $27.7 million over the three-day weekend...
- 12/27/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The winter holiday season can be a lucrative one at the box office, but this year's was on uncertain ground. 2021 brought us "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and 2022 brought us "Avatar: The Way of Water," both of which now rank amongst the highest-grossing movies in history. 2023 has no such clear-cut smash hit, with "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" ultimately disappointing in its opening frame. Luckily, another Warner Bros. movie has emerged to provide the Christmas box office with a much-needed jolt: "The Color Purple."
Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, the musical adaptation of the classic book of the same name lit up the charts on Christmas Day, taking in a massive $18.1 million, per The Numbers. That made it easily the number one movie of the holiday ahead of "The Lost Kingdom" ($10.6 million) and "Wonka" ($10.3 million). Interestingly, all three of these are Warner Bros. releases.
Circling back to the movie at hand,...
Directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, the musical adaptation of the classic book of the same name lit up the charts on Christmas Day, taking in a massive $18.1 million, per The Numbers. That made it easily the number one movie of the holiday ahead of "The Lost Kingdom" ($10.6 million) and "Wonka" ($10.3 million). Interestingly, all three of these are Warner Bros. releases.
Circling back to the movie at hand,...
- 12/27/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Blitz Bazawule could care less about The Color Purple’s recent award nominations. The film’s director isn’t worried about the movie-musical’s Best Picture snub at the Golden Globe or wowed by the musical’s five Critics Choice nominations and three mentions on the Oscars’ shortlist for its music. He understands the significance of such accolades, but says he prefers to focus on how viewers will receive the Broadway musical adaptation.
“I honestly do not pay attention to any of it,” Bazawule tells Rolling Stone, the day the Critics Choice nominations were announced.
“I honestly do not pay attention to any of it,” Bazawule tells Rolling Stone, the day the Critics Choice nominations were announced.
- 12/25/2023
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Every year, Christmas comes along to bring a big new release or two to the box office. Often, it's a major awards season contender. Other times, it's a big-budget tentpole from a studio looking to capitalize on the holiday window. In some cases, it's both. "The Color Purple" firmly falls into the "both" category as it is unquestionably a movie that Warner Bros. wants in the Oscar conversation, but also one they spent a great deal of money on. So, can the movie become the big Christmas season hit the studio is banking on?
Directed by Blitz Bazawule ("Black Is King"), the big-budget musical opens on Christmas Day this year, which falls on a Monday. It will be facing quite a bit of competition as "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (also a Warner Bros. release) opens on December 22, with A24's "The Iron Claw," Illumination's animated "Migration," and Sony's...
Directed by Blitz Bazawule ("Black Is King"), the big-budget musical opens on Christmas Day this year, which falls on a Monday. It will be facing quite a bit of competition as "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (also a Warner Bros. release) opens on December 22, with A24's "The Iron Claw," Illumination's animated "Migration," and Sony's...
- 12/21/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
When you watch a movie like "The Color Purple," it's almost more difficult to criticize because of how well-meaning it is, and how good its intentions are. The story of the Black woman Celie as she grows up in the still extremely harsh and racist American South in the 1900s started as an Alice Walker novel before being adapted for the big screen by Steven Spielberg in 1985, eventually leading to a Broadway musical that's now being dramatized all over again on the big screen for a Christmas Day release. It's not that this story is new, per se, though a new generation may yet be discovering it through its musical version as opposed to Spielberg's '80s-era take. The concepts and ideas at the core of this story remain arresting, vital, and heartbreaking, but the way those concepts are executed in this big, sometimes splashy and sometimes grim musical are messy at best,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Josh Spiegel
- Slash Film
Where do you stand on the 1985 film version of “The Color Purple,” which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, but won none? Some feel it wasn’t Steven Spielberg’s story to tell. Others marvel at how a director of the upbringing depicted in “The Fabelmans” managed to recognize and reflect so many aspects of Black culture: the music, the spirituality, the multiple catharses to which it builds. Looking back, Spielberg did justice to Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winning novel, but he also left room to expand and improve.
Now, nearly four decades later, a rousing new version arrives from director Blitz Bazawule, who collaborated with Beyoncé on her 2020 visual album “Black Is King.” Instead of rejecting what came before, the Ghanian filmmaker embraces and builds upon it, collaborating with Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey to update the material for the next generation (all three serve as producers). The main change,...
Now, nearly four decades later, a rousing new version arrives from director Blitz Bazawule, who collaborated with Beyoncé on her 2020 visual album “Black Is King.” Instead of rejecting what came before, the Ghanian filmmaker embraces and builds upon it, collaborating with Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey to update the material for the next generation (all three serve as producers). The main change,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
From left: Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in The Color PurplePhoto: Warner Bros.
About 70 minutes into The Color Purple, there’s a scene that doesn’t appear in many Hollywood studio musicals. A big number set on a gorgeous soundstage with a full brass band showing two...
About 70 minutes into The Color Purple, there’s a scene that doesn’t appear in many Hollywood studio musicals. A big number set on a gorgeous soundstage with a full brass band showing two...
- 12/19/2023
- by Murtada Elfadl
- avclub.com
Alice Walker started the phenomenon with her Pulitzer-winning 1982 book, and three years later Steven Spielberg turned it into a movie that got 11 Oscar nominations. In 2005, it took on new life as a Broadway musical, and in 2015 that musical got a Tony- and Grammy-winning revival.
Along the way it made big film and stage stars out of Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, the latter now making her feature starring debut as Celie in the new film version of the musical she led 18 years ago on Broadway. The Color Purple is indestructible, and that is also a good word to describe director Blitz Bazawule’s and screenwriter Marcus Gardley’s take that breathes exciting life into the story for new and older generations but also, to quote an original song from this film, really finds a way to “Keep It Movin’.”
Musicals have gone through a tough time recently.
Along the way it made big film and stage stars out of Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, the latter now making her feature starring debut as Celie in the new film version of the musical she led 18 years ago on Broadway. The Color Purple is indestructible, and that is also a good word to describe director Blitz Bazawule’s and screenwriter Marcus Gardley’s take that breathes exciting life into the story for new and older generations but also, to quote an original song from this film, really finds a way to “Keep It Movin’.”
Musicals have gone through a tough time recently.
- 12/19/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. has debuted another new trailer for the reimagining of the classic movie ‘The Color Purple.’
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – “It’s complicated…” Trailer drops for ‘Good Grief’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post Third trailer lands for the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – “It’s complicated…” Trailer drops for ‘Good Grief’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post Third trailer lands for the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 12/12/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
One more trailer has arrived for the musical version of The Color Purple ahead of its theatrical release next month in the UK.
To date, the only major cinematic interpretation of The Color Purple is the fondly-remembered 1985 adaptation by Steven Spielberg.
However, the story (which of course began life as a 1982 epistolary novel by Alice Walker) has since been adapted for Broadway and that musical version has now been turned into an upcoming film starring Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Danielle Brooks (Orange Is The New Black) and singer Fantasia Barrino, which is set to be released on 26th January.
The Color Purple ‘tells of the struggles of an African American woman living in the south during the early 1900s. It’s also about the strong bond shared by three friends.’ Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation saw Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery in the leading roles. Winfrey is involved in...
To date, the only major cinematic interpretation of The Color Purple is the fondly-remembered 1985 adaptation by Steven Spielberg.
However, the story (which of course began life as a 1982 epistolary novel by Alice Walker) has since been adapted for Broadway and that musical version has now been turned into an upcoming film starring Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Danielle Brooks (Orange Is The New Black) and singer Fantasia Barrino, which is set to be released on 26th January.
The Color Purple ‘tells of the struggles of an African American woman living in the south during the early 1900s. It’s also about the strong bond shared by three friends.’ Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation saw Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery in the leading roles. Winfrey is involved in...
- 12/12/2023
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
From left: Taraji P. Henson , Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in The Color PurpleImage: Warner Bros.
The Color Purple has had a fascinating journey through popular culture over the past four decades. Ever since Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was published in 1982, the story of a young Black woman...
The Color Purple has had a fascinating journey through popular culture over the past four decades. Ever since Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was published in 1982, the story of a young Black woman...
- 12/11/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Max is nothing if not a goldmine of content, with basically something to watch for everyone, and today we are making a list of the best new movies coming to Max in December 2023 that you can watch in the upcoming month. The movies in this list are ranked according to their availability dates.
Paranormal Activity (December 1)
Synopsis: After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep. Paranormal Activity builds suspense all the way to the shocking ending.
Skyfall (December 1)
Synopsis: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.
Paranormal Activity (December 1)
Synopsis: After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep. Paranormal Activity builds suspense all the way to the shocking ending.
Skyfall (December 1)
Synopsis: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.
- 12/7/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
This story about “The Color Purple” composers Nova Wav first appeared in the Race Begins issue of TheWrap magazine.
As far back as Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s game-changing novel, “The Color Purple” has always had a musical legacy. In addition to being scored by none other than Quincy Jones, the film boasted an earworm of an original song, “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister),” that was co-penned by Lionel Richie. So it wasn’t shocking that “Purple” would spring to life in Broadway musical form, first in 2005 and then in a multi-Tony-winning revival 10 years later, which would launch the career of an exciting upstart named Cynthia Erivo.
When the prospect of an adaptation of the musical into an all-singing, all-dancing major film bloomed into reality, it was clear the team would need some new tunes to goose the already-rousing ones in the two-act musical. Enter Nova Wav,...
As far back as Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s game-changing novel, “The Color Purple” has always had a musical legacy. In addition to being scored by none other than Quincy Jones, the film boasted an earworm of an original song, “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister),” that was co-penned by Lionel Richie. So it wasn’t shocking that “Purple” would spring to life in Broadway musical form, first in 2005 and then in a multi-Tony-winning revival 10 years later, which would launch the career of an exciting upstart named Cynthia Erivo.
When the prospect of an adaptation of the musical into an all-singing, all-dancing major film bloomed into reality, it was clear the team would need some new tunes to goose the already-rousing ones in the two-act musical. Enter Nova Wav,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
The upcoming release of “The Color Purple” musical film marks a full circle moment for Oprah Winfrey, who is producing the new adaptation 38 years after playing Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s take on Alice Walker’s seminal novel. Oprah earned an Oscar nomination for supporting actress, and now “The Color Purple” musical could earn her another one as a producer if it lands a best picture nomination. Oprah produced the film along with Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
In a new Essence cover story with the musical film’s cast — Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R. and Fantasia Barrino — Oprah revealed the salary she earned for her Oscar-nominated role in Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” It was low, but it was the only shot Oprah had at achieving her life goal of starring in the film.
“I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to me...
In a new Essence cover story with the musical film’s cast — Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R. and Fantasia Barrino — Oprah revealed the salary she earned for her Oscar-nominated role in Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” It was low, but it was the only shot Oprah had at achieving her life goal of starring in the film.
“I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to me...
- 10/18/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Alice Walker's acclaimed novel "The Color Purple" is being adapted once more. Decades after Steven Spielberg's 1985 adaptation received accolades, a film inspired by the similarly lauded stage musical - which originally ran from 2005 to 2008, then again from 2015 to 2017 - is finally hitting theaters this December with an A-list cast for the ages.
On Feb. 3, 2022, during an "ABC News" special, Oprah Winfrey, who starred in Spielberg's film, unveiled the official lineup of lead actors in the forthcoming adaptation: Fantasia Taylor, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo. Others who were later announced to join the star-studded cast include H.E.R., Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, and newcomer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who plays young Celie.
During a May 22 press conference for "The Color Purple" trailer's debut, which Popsugar was present for, director Blitz Bazawule - who served as co-director for Beyoncé's "Black Is King" -...
On Feb. 3, 2022, during an "ABC News" special, Oprah Winfrey, who starred in Spielberg's film, unveiled the official lineup of lead actors in the forthcoming adaptation: Fantasia Taylor, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo. Others who were later announced to join the star-studded cast include H.E.R., Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, and newcomer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who plays young Celie.
During a May 22 press conference for "The Color Purple" trailer's debut, which Popsugar was present for, director Blitz Bazawule - who served as co-director for Beyoncé's "Black Is King" -...
- 10/17/2023
- by Kelsey Garcia
- Popsugar.com
Warner Bros. has launched a brand new trailer for the reimagining of the classic movie ‘The Color Purple.’
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – Teaser trailer drops for 6th & final season of ‘The Crown’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post New trailer drops for ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – Teaser trailer drops for 6th & final season of ‘The Crown’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post New trailer drops for ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 10/10/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The new revival of The Wiz will begin Broadway previews on March 29, 2024, at the Marquis Theatre, with an opening night set for Wednesday, April 17.
The musical will feature Wayne Brady in the title role. The Broadway dates and venue were announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.
The limited engagement on Broadway follows a pre-Broadway national tour that launched in Baltimore yesterday with a sold-out show (and five standing ovations). Baltimore was the site of the musical’s original world premiere nearly 50 years ago.
Related: Emmy-Winning Super Bowl Halftime Music Director Adam Blackstone Joins Broadway-Bound ‘The Wiz’ Creative Team
In addition to Brady as the Wiz, the Broadway cast will feature Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman,...
The musical will feature Wayne Brady in the title role. The Broadway dates and venue were announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.
The limited engagement on Broadway follows a pre-Broadway national tour that launched in Baltimore yesterday with a sold-out show (and five standing ovations). Baltimore was the site of the musical’s original world premiere nearly 50 years ago.
Related: Emmy-Winning Super Bowl Halftime Music Director Adam Blackstone Joins Broadway-Bound ‘The Wiz’ Creative Team
In addition to Brady as the Wiz, the Broadway cast will feature Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda and Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Nichelle Lewis will portray Dorothy in the upcoming Broadway revival of The Wiz.
The Virginian actress, who was discovered on TikTok and chosen following more than 2,000 submissions for the role, was also announced by producers on Monday as the lead in the upcoming National Tour. Kicking off in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre and running from Sept. 23-30, the tour will continue to previously announced cities across the U.S. before its limited run in New York.
Wayne Brady was previously announced for the role of the Wiz on Broadway, following appearances in San Francisco Golden Gate Theatre and Los Angeles (Feb. 13 – March 3), with Alan Mingo Jr. portraying the role in additional tour cities additional including Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe and San Diego.
The musical also stars Deborah Cox as Glinda; Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene; Kyle Ramar Freeman as...
The Virginian actress, who was discovered on TikTok and chosen following more than 2,000 submissions for the role, was also announced by producers on Monday as the lead in the upcoming National Tour. Kicking off in Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre and running from Sept. 23-30, the tour will continue to previously announced cities across the U.S. before its limited run in New York.
Wayne Brady was previously announced for the role of the Wiz on Broadway, following appearances in San Francisco Golden Gate Theatre and Los Angeles (Feb. 13 – March 3), with Alan Mingo Jr. portraying the role in additional tour cities additional including Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, Tempe and San Diego.
The musical also stars Deborah Cox as Glinda; Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene; Kyle Ramar Freeman as...
- 8/14/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blue Ivy Carter is in formation — and her viral dance cameo on the Renaissance world tour is helping one of her mother’s songs reach new heights.
Carter first made a surprise appearance at Beyoncé’s May 26 show in Paris, performing the choreography to the beat driven-track “My Power,” which lit up social media. TikTok users quickly hopped onto the trend and performed the dance as well.
The 11-year-old Grammy winner continued to perform the dance at more shows, and streams and sales of the 2019 Beyoncé song are soaring.
Luminate — which tracks music sales, streaming and airplay — says the week after Carter’s appearance, U.S. on-demand streaming for “My Power” jumped 190 percent, while digital sales for the track increased by 189.8 percent. It performed stronger globally: On-demand streaming increased by 218.2 percent, and digital sales were up by 212 percent.
And the week after — as Carter continued to perform at more shows — the song earned more attention.
Carter first made a surprise appearance at Beyoncé’s May 26 show in Paris, performing the choreography to the beat driven-track “My Power,” which lit up social media. TikTok users quickly hopped onto the trend and performed the dance as well.
The 11-year-old Grammy winner continued to perform the dance at more shows, and streams and sales of the 2019 Beyoncé song are soaring.
Luminate — which tracks music sales, streaming and airplay — says the week after Carter’s appearance, U.S. on-demand streaming for “My Power” jumped 190 percent, while digital sales for the track increased by 189.8 percent. It performed stronger globally: On-demand streaming increased by 218.2 percent, and digital sales were up by 212 percent.
And the week after — as Carter continued to perform at more shows — the song earned more attention.
- 6/15/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wayne Brady will lead the Broadway revival of The Wiz, producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group said Wednesday.
The Who’s Line Is It Anyway star has previously appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago, as Lola in Kinky Boots and as Aaron Burr in the Chicago run of Hamilton. He will take on the role of the Wiz in spring 2024, during the production’s planned Broadway run, following stops at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco and at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
Before coming to Broadway, the production will launch a tour this fall in Baltimore and travel to cities including DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago and San Diego. During those tour stops, Alan Mingo Jr., who has also appeared as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, as well as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, will play the role of the Wiz.
The Who’s Line Is It Anyway star has previously appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in Chicago, as Lola in Kinky Boots and as Aaron Burr in the Chicago run of Hamilton. He will take on the role of the Wiz in spring 2024, during the production’s planned Broadway run, following stops at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco and at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
Before coming to Broadway, the production will launch a tour this fall in Baltimore and travel to cities including DC, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago and San Diego. During those tour stops, Alan Mingo Jr., who has also appeared as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway, as well as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, will play the role of the Wiz.
- 6/7/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker have joined the producing team for “The Wiz” musical, producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland and Ambassador Theatre Group announced on Thursday.
In a joint statement, Burruss and Tucker said, “We are thrilled to be part of ‘The Wiz.’ The songs, choreography, costumes, everything about ‘The Wiz’ is epic!” They continued, saying, “We have always said we want to help open the doors of theatre to all people. Theatre has the power to influence and inspire people to create change through art, and that is what we all need now. Art can heal and art can change you. It has changed us. So, come on and ease on down the road with us!”
Also Read:
Tony Awards Predictions 2023: Who Will Win – and Who Should
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by...
In a joint statement, Burruss and Tucker said, “We are thrilled to be part of ‘The Wiz.’ The songs, choreography, costumes, everything about ‘The Wiz’ is epic!” They continued, saying, “We have always said we want to help open the doors of theatre to all people. Theatre has the power to influence and inspire people to create change through art, and that is what we all need now. Art can heal and art can change you. It has changed us. So, come on and ease on down the road with us!”
Also Read:
Tony Awards Predictions 2023: Who Will Win – and Who Should
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by...
- 5/25/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. has debuted the first trailer for the reimaging of the classic movie ‘The Color Purple.’
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – Trailer lands for Gareth Edwards’ sci-fi action thriller ‘The Creator’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post Trailer debuts for the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond
This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
Also in trailers – Trailer lands for Gareth Edwards’ sci-fi action thriller ‘The Creator’
The film will be released across the UK and Ireland on January 26, 2024.
The post Trailer debuts for the reimagining of ‘The Color Purple’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 5/23/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The first The Color Purple trailer has arrived with American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino reprising her Broadway role. The epic musical reunites Steven Spielberg, the director of the 1985 film, with Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature film debut playing Sofia. Quincy Jones, a producer on the original film, is also back as an executive producer along with Spielberg and Winfrey.
Fantasia Barrino’s picked the perfect project as her movie debut, starring as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks is Sofia, Taraji P. Henson is Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.
Blitz Bazawule directed the musical and Marcus Gardley wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman,...
Fantasia Barrino’s picked the perfect project as her movie debut, starring as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks is Sofia, Taraji P. Henson is Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.
Blitz Bazawule directed the musical and Marcus Gardley wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
I know where I'll be this Christmas: seated for Blitz Bazawule's musical reinvention of Alice Walker's classic novel "The Color Purple." Musician and "Black Is King" director Bazawule will draw from the Broadway version of the story for a movie that'll probably look a whole lot different from Steven Spielberg's 1985 adaptation. The first trailer for the new movie just dropped, and it promises a vibrant, surprisingly joyous take on a deep story of love and friendship in the face of abuse.
/Film got a first look at the new "The Color Purple" at CinemaCon last month, where intertitles declared the movie "Not Your Mama's Color Purple" and producer Oprah Winfrey (who played Sofia in Spielberg's version) promised that "It's not your mama's 'Color Purple,' but your mama's gonna really like it." Bazawule's version, which comes from a script from "The Chi" and "Maid" writer Marcus Gardley,...
/Film got a first look at the new "The Color Purple" at CinemaCon last month, where intertitles declared the movie "Not Your Mama's Color Purple" and producer Oprah Winfrey (who played Sofia in Spielberg's version) promised that "It's not your mama's 'Color Purple,' but your mama's gonna really like it." Bazawule's version, which comes from a script from "The Chi" and "Maid" writer Marcus Gardley,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
A bold new take on the beloved classic, here’s a first look at the brand new trailer for The Color Purple.
Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in “The Color Purple.” This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
“The Color Purple” stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs,...
Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in “The Color Purple.” This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
“The Color Purple” stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Warner Bros. Pictures has released a new trailer for The Color Purple. Based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, The Color Purple is a “bold new take on the beloved classic” about “the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond.“
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), The Color Purple stars Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Corey Hawkins (In the Heights), H.E.R. (Judas and the Black Messiah), Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (If Beale Street Could Talk), and Fantasia Barrino, who makes her major motion picture debut in the film.
Related Warner Bros. CinemaCon presentation included Barbie, Wonka, The Nun 2, & more
The Color Purple was first adapted by Steven Spielberg in 1985. The film, which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover, was a big success and...
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), The Color Purple stars Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Corey Hawkins (In the Heights), H.E.R. (Judas and the Black Messiah), Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (If Beale Street Could Talk), and Fantasia Barrino, who makes her major motion picture debut in the film.
Related Warner Bros. CinemaCon presentation included Barbie, Wonka, The Nun 2, & more
The Color Purple was first adapted by Steven Spielberg in 1985. The film, which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover, was a big success and...
- 5/22/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Culturally, “The Color Purple” is many different things to many people. To some, it’s the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker, the 1985 adaptation of that novel by Steven Spielberg, and more recently, it’s the 2005 musical with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. And it’s this musical that begets the latest cinematic take on “The Color Purple.”
Read More: Summer 2023 Movie Preview: 52 Must-See Films To Watch
This unique and bold new take on sisterhood and three women who share one unbreakable bond is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones.
Continue reading ‘The Color Purple’ Trailer: Taraji P. Henson Leads The All-Star Cast Of A Bold New Musical Experience at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer 2023 Movie Preview: 52 Must-See Films To Watch
This unique and bold new take on sisterhood and three women who share one unbreakable bond is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones.
Continue reading ‘The Color Purple’ Trailer: Taraji P. Henson Leads The All-Star Cast Of A Bold New Musical Experience at The Playlist.
- 5/22/2023
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have reunited to revive “The Color Purple” into a movie musical, directed by Blitz Bazawule.
After debuting footage for distributors at CinemaCon last month, Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for the new adaptation, which is set to premiere in North America on Dec. 25. The film will open internationally beginning Jan. 18, 2024.
The trailer features visually bold motifs as it takes audiences inside Celie’s headspace with “American Idol” winner Fantasia reprising her Broadway role, in her major motion picture debut. It also gives an insight into the sisterhood of the women at the heart of the story. Elevated by grandeur, the highlights are the musical clips and jaw-dropping production set against the backdrop of Mister’s Farm.
Starring alongside Fantasia are Danielle Brooks as Sofia, who earned a Tony nomination for the role in the 2016 Broadway revival, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Colman Domingo as Mister,...
After debuting footage for distributors at CinemaCon last month, Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for the new adaptation, which is set to premiere in North America on Dec. 25. The film will open internationally beginning Jan. 18, 2024.
The trailer features visually bold motifs as it takes audiences inside Celie’s headspace with “American Idol” winner Fantasia reprising her Broadway role, in her major motion picture debut. It also gives an insight into the sisterhood of the women at the heart of the story. Elevated by grandeur, the highlights are the musical clips and jaw-dropping production set against the backdrop of Mister’s Farm.
Starring alongside Fantasia are Danielle Brooks as Sofia, who earned a Tony nomination for the role in the 2016 Broadway revival, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Colman Domingo as Mister,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Charna Flam, Jazz Tangcay and Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Alice Walker’s timeless novel “The Color Purple” is returning to the big screen for the first time in four decades.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 1985 adaptation followed a young Black woman named Celie (then played by Whoopi Goldberg) trying to find her identity in rural Georgia while coping with her abusive father and the prejudices of the post-Antebellum South and forming a close connection with jazz singer Shug. A stage musical adaptation of Walker’s book debuted on Broadway in 2005, with Celie played by the likes of Lachanze and Cynthia Erivo throughout its run and revival. Now, in director Blitz Bazawule’s Warner Bros. film version of the musical (out Christmas Day), R&b star Fantasia Barrino, who appeared on Broadway in the show from 2007 to 2008 and then in the national tour two years later, takes on the role of Celie, with Taraji P. Henson as Shug. Watch the first...
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 1985 adaptation followed a young Black woman named Celie (then played by Whoopi Goldberg) trying to find her identity in rural Georgia while coping with her abusive father and the prejudices of the post-Antebellum South and forming a close connection with jazz singer Shug. A stage musical adaptation of Walker’s book debuted on Broadway in 2005, with Celie played by the likes of Lachanze and Cynthia Erivo throughout its run and revival. Now, in director Blitz Bazawule’s Warner Bros. film version of the musical (out Christmas Day), R&b star Fantasia Barrino, who appeared on Broadway in the show from 2007 to 2008 and then in the national tour two years later, takes on the role of Celie, with Taraji P. Henson as Shug. Watch the first...
- 5/22/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
While much of the Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon was dressed in pink in celebration of “Barbie,” they devoted a portion of their presentation to the first look at “The Color Purple,” its star-studded musical adaptation of the Alice Walker novel and the first time the story has been brought to the big screen since Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film. And they brought out producer Oprah Winfrey to talk about how special the new film is to her.
Director Blitz Bazawule, who is known for Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” introduced the musical adaptation at CinemaCon alongside Winfrey and gave the first look at the sweeping and striking cinematography in the film’s trailer. The movie is described as “not your mama’s ‘Color Purple,'” and we got to see star Danielle Brooks as Celie belt out the song “Hell No” as the backdrop to the trailer.
Winfrey said the...
Director Blitz Bazawule, who is known for Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” introduced the musical adaptation at CinemaCon alongside Winfrey and gave the first look at the sweeping and striking cinematography in the film’s trailer. The movie is described as “not your mama’s ‘Color Purple,'” and we got to see star Danielle Brooks as Celie belt out the song “Hell No” as the backdrop to the trailer.
Winfrey said the...
- 4/25/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Without giving away a single favorite thing, Oprah Winfrey brought the house down with a surprise appearance at CinemaCon 2023.
Revelers at the annual convention of movie theater owners were delighted by the mogul’s cameo at Tuesday’s presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures. Winfrey is a producer on the studio’s upcoming movie musical “The Color Purple,” based on the 1985 Steven Spielberg classic in which the former daytime host starred.
“‘The Color Purple’ in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that happened to me. This is a full circle moment to be part of this film. It holds great personal meaning,” Winfrey told the crowd.
Appearing with director Blitz Bazawule, the pair showed the first footage ever screened from the project — a rousing and lush production that particularly showcased femme fatale Taraji P. Henson.
The film will open this coming Christmas Day, and boasts serious musical and Hollywood star power.
Revelers at the annual convention of movie theater owners were delighted by the mogul’s cameo at Tuesday’s presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures. Winfrey is a producer on the studio’s upcoming movie musical “The Color Purple,” based on the 1985 Steven Spielberg classic in which the former daytime host starred.
“‘The Color Purple’ in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that happened to me. This is a full circle moment to be part of this film. It holds great personal meaning,” Winfrey told the crowd.
Appearing with director Blitz Bazawule, the pair showed the first footage ever screened from the project — a rousing and lush production that particularly showcased femme fatale Taraji P. Henson.
The film will open this coming Christmas Day, and boasts serious musical and Hollywood star power.
- 4/25/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
To celebrate its century-long run as one of Hollywood's biggest movie studios, Warner Bros. is releasing 20-minute-long remakes of six of its most classic films. The company, which is now called Warner Bros. Discovery after a merger with Discovery, Inc., plans on developing the short film series through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and stated that the series will reimagine these stories through "representative casting, storytelling, and narrative."
The six films on the slate are the recently remade "A Star is Born," the swashbuckling "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the Western "Calamity Jane," the Abbott and Costello comedy "Jack and the Beanstalk," the much-adapted "The Prince and the Pauper," and the James Dean drama "Rebel Without a Cause." Production is slated to begin this summer, with Ali Afshar ("American Wrestler: The Wizard" and a whole slew of Christmas-related material) serving as consulting producer. "We can't think of a better...
The six films on the slate are the recently remade "A Star is Born," the swashbuckling "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the Western "Calamity Jane," the Abbott and Costello comedy "Jack and the Beanstalk," the much-adapted "The Prince and the Pauper," and the James Dean drama "Rebel Without a Cause." Production is slated to begin this summer, with Ali Afshar ("American Wrestler: The Wizard" and a whole slew of Christmas-related material) serving as consulting producer. "We can't think of a better...
- 4/19/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
There is nothing on television quite like Swarm. This ultraviolent fever dream of a series, from the Atlanta team of Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, tells the tale of a tormented young Black woman, Dre (Dominique Fishback, outstanding), who idolizes Ni’Jah, the world’s biggest pop star — or at least the one with the most militant fanbase, who call themselves the Swarm and drown out any and all online detractors with bee emojis. If this all sounds familiar, it should: the series is directly inspired by Beyoncé and her Beyhive,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
The Champagne carpet officially rolled out at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood for the 95th Academy Awards, kicking off the final stretch of Oscar pre-parties and events as Hollywood gears up for March 12.
The food, beverages and décor of this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscars celebration, was revealed Tuesday at a press conference by Wolfgang Puck, who crafted this year’s menu with Eric Klein, VP of culinary at Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Nominees, winners and guests will be treated to a variety of tray-passed dishes, created by 120 chefs in the kitchen, from smoked salmon Oscars matzah and Wp signature pizzas to crispy Moroccan lamb cigars.
Related: Oscar Photos 2023: The Best Of The Red Carpet & Gala Ceremony
Elton John returned to hosting his annual 31st Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday, March 12th and will be by joined by Eric McCormack and...
The food, beverages and décor of this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscars celebration, was revealed Tuesday at a press conference by Wolfgang Puck, who crafted this year’s menu with Eric Klein, VP of culinary at Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Nominees, winners and guests will be treated to a variety of tray-passed dishes, created by 120 chefs in the kitchen, from smoked salmon Oscars matzah and Wp signature pizzas to crispy Moroccan lamb cigars.
Related: Oscar Photos 2023: The Best Of The Red Carpet & Gala Ceremony
Elton John returned to hosting his annual 31st Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday, March 12th and will be by joined by Eric McCormack and...
- 3/13/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
From Beyoncé’s Black Is King and the Hulu adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Kindred to the Black Panther films, Black science fiction — what scholars have coined Black Speculative Thought or Afrofuturism — has seen a steady rise over the past few decades. The latest entry, Netflix’s new animated series My Dad the Bounty Hunter, now streaming, brings outer space and Black familyhood to the forefront, staying true to the genre’s core mission: telling relatable and futuristic stories that center Black characters while expanding the audience’s imagination.
“A...
“A...
- 2/14/2023
- by Meagan Jordan
- Rollingstone.com
February is Black History Month, and with such a wide array of streaming options, there’s no shortage of options for learning about Black heritage and celebrating Black excellence.
Amazon Prime Video
Among the programming being promoted in Prime Video’s “Celebrating Black History Month” lineup are the new second season of “Harlem,” which follows four female friends from Harlem as they navigate their love lives and careers. There’s also the new original unscripted series “Coach Prime,” which chronicles Deion Sanders in his third year coaching football at Jackson State. Other noteworthy selections include Regina King‘s Oscar-nominated “One Night in Miami,” the acclaimed documentaries “My Name is Pauli Murray” and “I Am Not Your Negro,” the Emmy-nominated romance “Sylvie’s Love,” Spike Lee‘s “Chi-Raq,” the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning stage adaptation “Fences” from Denzel Washington, who also stars in Prime offerings “Devil in a Blue Dress...
Amazon Prime Video
Among the programming being promoted in Prime Video’s “Celebrating Black History Month” lineup are the new second season of “Harlem,” which follows four female friends from Harlem as they navigate their love lives and careers. There’s also the new original unscripted series “Coach Prime,” which chronicles Deion Sanders in his third year coaching football at Jackson State. Other noteworthy selections include Regina King‘s Oscar-nominated “One Night in Miami,” the acclaimed documentaries “My Name is Pauli Murray” and “I Am Not Your Negro,” the Emmy-nominated romance “Sylvie’s Love,” Spike Lee‘s “Chi-Raq,” the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning stage adaptation “Fences” from Denzel Washington, who also stars in Prime offerings “Devil in a Blue Dress...
- 2/9/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. Although this day marks just the beginning of an ongoing battle for equality, Juneteenth represents an opportunity to celebrate the joy of the Black experience as much as the hardship. And TheWrap’s got a great list of films to get that celebration started.
Once you’ve checked out some of the more educational Juneteenth-related fare, like “13th” or “I Am Not Your Negro,” consider adding some of these flicks to your streaming list.
“Soul” (Disney+)
“Soul,” Pixar’s first film to feature an African-American protagonist, follows Joe Gardener, a middle school music teacher with dreams of becoming a jazz star. When Joe dies prematurely before receiving his big break, he gets a second chance at his fantasy when accidentally enters the Great Before — a place that prepares unborn souls for real life. Not only...
Once you’ve checked out some of the more educational Juneteenth-related fare, like “13th” or “I Am Not Your Negro,” consider adding some of these flicks to your streaming list.
“Soul” (Disney+)
“Soul,” Pixar’s first film to feature an African-American protagonist, follows Joe Gardener, a middle school music teacher with dreams of becoming a jazz star. When Joe dies prematurely before receiving his big break, he gets a second chance at his fantasy when accidentally enters the Great Before — a place that prepares unborn souls for real life. Not only...
- 2/7/2023
- by Loree Seitz and Alex Noble
- The Wrap
Exclusive: The Wiz is getting ready for the road to Broadway with an award-winning design team, including Oscar-winning Black Panther production designer Hannah Beachler and Emmy-winning Watchmen costume designer Sharen Davis.
The design team, which also includes lighting design by Ryan J. O’Gara (Thoughts of a Colored Man) and wig design by Academy Award-winning Mia Neal (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Hannah Beachler Headshot. (Photo: Chris Britt)
As previously reported, the all-new production of the groundbreaking Broadway hit musical will launch a national tour in fall 2023 in Baltimore (where the original musical debuted in 1974), before arriving on Broadway for a limited engagement in spring 2024.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), director Schele Williams, choreographer JaQuel Knight...
The design team, which also includes lighting design by Ryan J. O’Gara (Thoughts of a Colored Man) and wig design by Academy Award-winning Mia Neal (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), was announced today by producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Hannah Beachler Headshot. (Photo: Chris Britt)
As previously reported, the all-new production of the groundbreaking Broadway hit musical will launch a national tour in fall 2023 in Baltimore (where the original musical debuted in 1974), before arriving on Broadway for a limited engagement in spring 2024.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), director Schele Williams, choreographer JaQuel Knight...
- 1/31/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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