Taraji P. Henson will helm the role of Shug Avery in Blitz Bazawule ‘Color Purple’ film. The 51-year-old multi-award-winning actress is joining the tall list of A-list actors alongside Fantasia Taylor, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Corey Hawkins, and H.E.R. Blitz Bazawule who is taking charge of directing duties for the star line-up new film adaptation of Tony-winning Broadway musical ‘The Color Purple’ is enthused about working with Taraji, as he took to his social media page to express his joy.
The film is executive produced by Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, and Mara Jacobs, and Marcus Gardley will be in charge of the screenplay. The Queen of Media herself ‘Oprah Winfrey’, Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, and one of the greatest Filmmakers of all time Steven Spielberg are producers of the film. According to our sources, they were all highly impressed with the visual vibrancy, direction, and techniques of ‘The Burial of Kojo’ and this comes before their video call with him where he pitched an incredible approach to the film to them. Oprah Winfrey had the right set of words for Blitz Bazawule, she said “We were all blown away by Blitz’s unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life”.
The original Broadway musical debuted in 2005, ran for 910 performances, and scored 11 Tony Award nominations. A revival in 2015 scored four more Tony Award nominations and won for Best Revival of a Musical and Cynthia Erivo in her Broadway debut. The musical has also won Grammy and Emmy awards in addition to that.
The 1985 Color Purple film directed and produced by Spielberg bagged 11 Oscar nominations. Oprah Winfrey also made her feature debut in the original movie and earned a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. The Color Purple tells an influential story about the problems young African American girls faced during the early 20th century predominantly including sexism, racism, and sexual violence. The new upcoming film will draw inspiration from the 1985 installment and finesse it with the brilliance of Blitz to create something magical that has never been experienced on the big screens.
Blitz Bazawule might not have a tall list of films to fill his catalog or portfolio but it takes one ART to make the difference and he has done exactly that. Well, he does have a tall list of amazing actors for one film. I believe in his potential and the team he is surrounded by. A potential multi-Academy awards film that will have his name in highlight.