Grammy-winning recording artist Ciara is the latest to join the cast of the upcoming movie musical The Color Purple, adapted from the 2005 Broadway musical. The "Get Up" and "Can't Leave 'em Alone" singer will take on the role of Adult Nettie, according to a report from The Wrap. The Warner Bros. film, expected to hit theatres December 20, 2023, began filming March 21 in Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Ciara joins a previously announced cast led by Color Purple stage vets Fantasia Barrino as Celie and Danielle Brooks as Sophia, along with Taraji P. Henson as Shug, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, H.E.R. as Squeak, Halle Bailey as Young Nettie, Colman Domingo as Mister, David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery, Louis Gossett, Jr. as Ol' Mister, Tamela Mann as First Lady, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Buster, and Broadway Lion King alum Phylicia Mpasi as Young Celie.
Blitz Bazawule, who co-helmed Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King, will direct, with Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Steven Spielberg as producers. Marcus Gardley has been tapped to pen the screenplay, adapted from Marsha Norman’s stage book and Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray’s score. The stage musical was adapted from Walker's 1982 Pulitzer-winning novel and its 1985 film adaptation, directed by Spielberg.
The musical debuted on Broadway in 2005, winning original Celie, LaChanze, a Tony Award for her performance. A 2015 revival helmed by John Doyle won its Celie, Cynthia Erivo, a Tony Award before propelling her to Hollywood stardom. Brooks co-starred with Erivo as Sophia, the role she will reprise in the upcoming movie musical.
