Whether it’s a bestselling novel being adapted for the small screen or our favourite podcast being transformed into a gritty drama, changing up the medium of a work of art gets us all excited here at Stylist.

Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Color Purple won the author the Pulitzer Prize and went on to become a popular 1985 movie, in which stars such as Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey cut their teeth in Hollywood. More recently, it was redone as a Tony award-winning Broadway musical.

And now, it is being adapted again, this time as a musical film, and we’ve just been treated to our first glimpse of what we can expect from the film, courtesy of a brand new trailer. 

Here’s what we know so far about the new The Color Purple movie…

Who is in the cast of The Color Purple?

Taraji P Henson will lead the cast as Shug Avery, while Fantasia Taylor will play Celie, reprising the role she previously played on Broadway.

Singer Ciara has been cast as Celie’s sister Nettie, with The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey also playing a younger version of the same character. 

Speaking about Ciara’s casting as the older version of her character, Bailey said to Entertainment Tonight: “I love Ciara so much, so it’s super cool.

“I mean, it’s historic because we grew up watching The Color Purple, everybody knows the story, so, I’m just grateful to be a part of it and bringing my own thing to it,” she added.

Orange Is The New Black’s Danielle Brooks will also reprise the role of Sofia, which she played on Broadway from 2015 to 2017, earning a Tony award in the process. 

Other confirmed cast members also include recent Oscar nominee and King Richard star Aunjanue Ellis who will play Mama, mother to Celie and Nettie. The Dropout’s Elizabeth Marvel will also be joining the cast as Miss Millie – the unpleasant and overbearing mayor’s wife who hires Sofia (played by Brooks) to be her maid. The character was played by Dana Ivey in Spielberg’s 1985 film.

Corey Hawkins (In The Heights, Straight Outta Compton) and Oscar and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R will also star in the new film as Harpo (originally played by Willard Pugh in the 1985 film) and Squeak (previously played by Rae Dawn Chong) respectively.

Phylicia Mpasi will play the younger Celie, while Zola star Colman Domingo will appear as Mister, Celie’s husband. 

Is there a trailer for The Color Purple?

The first teaser trailer for the film has just been released, opening with emotional scenes demonstrating the bond between the two teenage sisters, Celie and Nettie (played by Mpasi and Bailey), before the tone shifts significantly when Domingo’s character arrives on the scene, looking for a wife.

Later, we’re introduced to the glamorous singer Shug (Henson), who will turn Celie’s life upside down.

You can watch the trailer below.

Who is involved behind the camera? 

The new Warner Bros. movie is directed by Blitz Bazawule, who is best known for his work on Beyoncé’s Black Is King and The Burial Of Kojo. The screenplay has been written by Marcus Gardley, the playwright, screenwriter and poet, based on the stage musical by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray and Marsha Norman.

Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature acting debut in the 1985 film as Sofia, will be producing the new movie alongside Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones (who composed the original score for the 1985 adaptation and served as a producer then, too). 

What is The Color Purple about?

Walker’s novel followed the story of Celie Harris, a young African-American girl who encounters and attempts to overcome major issues that plague her life, including domestic violence, racism, sexism and incest. Celie’s life is transformed as she discovers her self-worth with the help of two friends, Sofia and Shug Avery.

The stage musical follows the same premise – and even starred singer and actor Jennifer Hudson – so it’s likely that the new film will contain many of the same plotlines, alongside some brilliant songs.

When is The Color Purple in cinemas?

The film is set to land in US cinemas on Christmas Day this year, but UK audiences will have a little longer to wait. The Color Purple won’t make its debut on this side of the Atlantic for another month, eventually premiering over here on 26 January 2024. We’re sure it’ll be worth it, though. 

Image: Getty