THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 2

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 9:48am

Whoever suggested Janelle Monae for Shug, that is probably the best suggestion I've heard aside from Erivo or nothing.

I'm trying to think about Sofia - Can Octavia Spencer sing? Also, I'm trying to think of good leading men that are big right now - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershala Ali?

[perfectliar]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:09am

SomethingPeculiar said: "Of course, it could be years away, depending on how quickly a director, writer, and studio sign on. But if a "name" director likeBarry Jenkins or Ava DuVernay or Steve McQueenis a quick "yes"and wants to prioritize it, theycould start shooting in a year and release Fall 2020.Only time will tell, but those producers know what they're doing –– and on paper, it seems less complicated thanWICKED."

Steve McQueen DID just give an interview in the UK saying he wants to do a musical...

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 10:29am

perfectliar said: "Steve McQueen DID just give an interview in the UK saying he wants to do a musical..."

I think he'd be great for this. Though that article made it sound like he wants to do something like MAMMA MIA: “I want to do a musical. I want to make myself happy. Right now, [the world] is dark, it’s heavy, there’s no ifs, buts, maybes about it, it’s so unsure and uncertain and I think I need to shake off the blues and make us all happy.”

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/4/18 at 11:08am

Yeah, I read the Steve McQueen headline and thought of this, but the actual quote makes it sound like he wants to do musical comedy. Maybe he can direct that GUYS & DOLLS remake that’s been stuck in development purgatory for over a decade.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this project came together more quickly than people expect. The time seems right for it, and the revival injected a new life into the property (many of my college students saw it or are familiar with it—and I don’t teach in a theatre department). Ava Duvernay, who directed Oprah in A WRINKLE IN TIME and SELMA, has a high enough profile that she could secure funding and attract the biggest names in the industry. And yes, Erivo’s rising profile in film doesn’t hurt. The original film splits the role into two, so they could get someone younger for the earlier scenes. Janelle Monae was born to play Shug Avery. I wouldn’t mind to see Danielle Brooks reprise her Sofia.

[Reggie10]

Posted: 11/7/18 at 2:47pm

To me, Cynthia has played Celie enough. She did it in London and in New York. I'd actually prefer Fantasia's screen debut or an unknown for the film Celie. (Actually IMDB currently lists Fantasia as Celie, but I don't know if there's any truth to it.) However, if Cynthia must be cast, then they better bring back all three of the revival cast leads.

No matter who is cast as Celie, I don't see anyone other than Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery for a musical film. Janelle could act it, but she's too short, and her voice isn't special enough for Shug, a singer. Jennifer has the star power, the Oscar, and most importantly the VOICE for the role. Shug's songs are too good to take a step down from Jennifer's flawless renditions on the revival cast soundtrack.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 11/7/18 at 3:39pm

Fantasia's "I'm Here" is by far the best. Saw her live and it received a 3 minute standing ovation.

Here's my question about J-Hud, when are they filming the Aretha bio-pic? That on top of CATS could make it hard for her to do this dependent on scheduling. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/7/18 at 5:18pm

This has no director and no writer. As bk mentioned, this is years off- plenty of time for factors to come into play with casting, including completion of projects or other availability.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 11/7/18 at 6:50pm

This might not have a director yet, but I can see this coming together relatively quickly. Why? Well if Cynthia's star continues to rise as it appears to be I can see them fast tracking this for her. A few years? Maybe but I don't see this being a long time sort of thing.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 9:14am

In this interview, Cynthia expresses her willingness to play the role again in the film:

http://www.newnownext.com/widows-cynthia-erivo-queer-color-purple-lgbtq-fans/11/2018/

 

[raddersons]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 9:18am

Janelle Monae as Shug Avery is the casting I need to see before I die.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 10:14am

raddersons said: "Janelle Monae as Shug Avery is the casting I need to see before I die."

OH MY GOD.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 10:21am

They'd be foolish to not have Erivo as Celie. I'll add in a vote for Monae as Shug and might as well bring back Danielle Brooks as Sofia.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 10:38am

ACL2006 said: "They'd be foolish to not have Erivo as Celie. I'll add in a vote for Monae as Shug and might as well bring back Danielle Brooks as Sofia."

This is my dream three too! I loved Danielle Brooks in the show.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 10:40am

ACL2006 said: "They'd be foolish to not have Erivo as Celie. I'll add in a vote for Monae as Shug and might as well bring back Danielle Brooks as Sofia."

This is truly perfect casting.

[Broadwaywest]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 10:50am

I think this is only being done because of the rise of Cynthia Erivo (who I was lucky enough to see in the london production). Speilberg has said on many occasions if he was offered The Color Purple today he would pass it on to a female african american filmmaker. So, Im thinking Dee Rees for this could be kind of amazing, although Mudbound had some issues, but the filmmaking was not one of them. And as much as I love the Speilberg film, I think John Doyle's production has the come the closest to the book.

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 12/3/18 at 9:09am

Broadwaywest said: "I think this is only being done because of the rise of Cynthia Erivo (who I was lucky enough to see in the london production). Speilberg has said on many occasions if he was offered The Color Purple today he would pass it on to a female african american filmmaker. So, Im thinking Dee Rees for this could be kind of amazing, although Mudbound had some issues, but the filmmaking was not one of them. And as much as I love the Speilberg film, I think John Doyle's production has the come the closest to the book."

Nah. Doyle's production found the show I think. Plus 350M in box office, makes for a solid to screen effort. Wonder why Erivo is getting such a bad reputation on her films? What was the word from her behavior on the show - behind the scenes. I hear she refused a scene the motel movie where she was to have been in the rain. Pulled a diva fit and wouldn't budge from her trailer until they rewrote. She said the character wouldn't have been standing in the rain. I understand toward the end of the broadway run she was increasingly unkind to one co-star in particular.

Oh dear.

I would be thrilled with either Fantasia in the movie, or Cynthia. 

[natashalost]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 7:22am

What about Anika Noni Rose as Nettie? She might also be a good Squeak too. 

I would love to see LaChanze make a cameo. She could be one of the Church Lady’s.

 

Updated On: 12/6/18 at 07:22 AM

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 8:17am

NYCblurb said: "Broadwaywest said: "I think this is only being done because of the rise of Cynthia Erivo (who I was lucky enough to see in the london production). Speilberg has said on many occasions if he was offered The Color Purple today he would pass it on to a female african american filmmaker. So, Im thinking Dee Rees for this could be kind of amazing, although Mudbound had some issues, but the filmmaking was not one of them. And as much as I love the Speilberg film, I think John Doyle's production has the come the closest to the book."

Nah. Doyle's production found the show I think. Plus 350M in box office, makes for a solid to screen effort. Wonder why Erivo is getting such a bad reputation on her films? What was the word from her behavior on the show - behind the scenes. I hear she refused a scene the motel movie where she was to have been in the rain. Pulled a diva fit and wouldn't budge from her trailer until they rewrote. She said the character wouldn't have been standing in the rain. I understand toward the end of the broadway run she was increasingly unkind to one co-star in particular.

Oh dear.

I would be thrilled with either Fantasia in the movie, or Cynthia."

spill the beans!

[Observation]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 11:50am

So according to the IMDb page, they have Fantasia listed as Celie. 

I haven't seen any announcements made about this?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1200263/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 12:44pm

Reggie10 said: "Janelle could act it, but she's too short, and her voice isn't special enough for Shug, a singer. "

I would get the short thing on stage if Celie was tall, but Erivo is about the same height, so with the right heels (and maybe some movie magic), that probably wouldn't be an issue (maybe if Fantasia is cast but idk). Also Monáe is a singer, one that I feel fits Shug very well. I'm not saying Hudson is a bad choice, both could do the role amazingly, but Monáe has not been in a musical like this before, so that's why I'm rooting for her at least. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 12:53pm

Observation said: "So according to the IMDb page, they have Fantasia listed as Celie.

I haven't seen any announcements made about this?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1200263/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1"

A fan probably added that, or someone trying to stir the pot. Fake news!

I thought Hudson was past her prime, but between the Cats movie and the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, she could be a pretty big "get" for Color Purple.

[Ledaero]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 1:00pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Observation said: "So according to the IMDb page, they have Fantasia listed as Celie.

I haven't seen any announcements made about this?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1200263/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1"

IMDB doesn't work like that, it's not wikipedia. Only studios and IMDB moderators can add info into a film's pages. So likely this is more legit than you want it to be. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 1:03pm

If they were to remount The Color Purple revival today, I'd suggest Amber Gray for Shug Avery. She'd be phenomenal as a drunk, formerly washed up, lounge singer who's sexual and not afraid to stand up to the men around her. I feel like I have seen her pull off that persona really well recently...

[JP2]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 1:14pm

Studios don’t submit the final cast list for a film to IMDB until a day or two before release. Up until then absolutely anyone can edit it. It’s exactly like Wiki.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 1:27pm

JP2 said: "Studios don’t submit the final cast list for a film to IMDB until a day or two before release. Up until then absolutely anyone can edit it. It’s exactly like Wiki."

Yea, this. For example, I just submitted a request to have Fantasia's name deleted from the film's page and her personal page since her involvement hasn't been announced or even rumored. No studio would EVER announce the casting of a leading actor via an update to the IMDB page. Get ya facts straight, Ledaero.

I sort of prefer the way IBDB works, where it's only updated when information is officially announced via press release or in the playbill.