Oprah to give 'Color Purple' a new shot at Oscars & Globes
Oprah Winfrey's nomination for best supporting actress of 1985 was one of 11 record-setting Oscar bids. "The Color Purple" ended up tying "The Turning Point" as suffering the worst shut-out in Academy Awards history.
When Oprah decided to produce a new musical adaptation for Broadway two years ago, it earned 11 Tony nominations — the same tally as it earned at the Oscars. But it wasn't totally snubbed. It reaped one win for best lead actress LaChanze.
The original film version fared a bit better at the Golden Globes where it had six nominations and one win — for Whoopi Goldberg as best acress.
Yesterday Oprah let slip some news she hadn't planned on announcing while touting the new Denzel Washington movie she produced, "The Great Debaters" during a press conference with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association " A journo asked Oprah if she's planning on making a film of the new musical version of "The Color Purple," much like "Hairspray" and "The Producers" recently went from non-musical screen original to Broadway tuner adaptation to film musical.
Oprah paused awkwardly, held her breath for a second, then blurted out, "Actually, I am." But she offered no further details.
of course its true...basically we're at the point where every successful broadway show can become a movie, - as the leads are already celebrities to a degree.
But see this was a theroy of mine LONG before I ever heard it out of scott sanders mouth. The color purple NEEDED to sing. I think this musical is one of many true definitions of shows where when words can no longer fill the space, use music. SING!
I mean, Legally Blonde...what needs to sing about that?
Apples and Oranges here.
Though I don't think it should be a complete star studded cast. Hell, there weren't ANY "names" when the Broadway show first came to town and look how well it's done.
I adore the black band holding on the Phantom's mask. ~ Jenna2
If this happens soon enough Fantasia probably will play Celie. And I personally hope so. I love, love, love what she does with the songs and to have her "I'm Here" preserved forever would be awesome.
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul
Attend the tale of Bovine Boy
His party threads we all enjoy
But does he have Mad Cow Disease?
He doesn't eat beef - but cows skating? - oh please!!!
With cocoa!?!
And lemonade!?!
The heifer-mad poster of Broadway
(World)
And to all of you who say that this is not going to happen think about this: Oprah is one of the richest and most influential women in the world. I mean, I was scared when I saw TCP that if I didn't like it Oprah would send her henchmen after me. And besides, she has sooo much freaking money she could make anything she wanted to happen come to fruition.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
Jamie Fox as Mister Queen Latifah as Sophia Jennifer Hudson as Nettie Fantasia as Shug Avery Morgan Freeman as Old Mister and introducing LaChanze as Celie
Kinda stumped on a Harpo...
I adore the black band holding on the Phantom's mask. ~ Jenna2
If Oprah wants this to happen, it will happen. And all of black Hollywood will be gunning to be a part of it.
As for Queen Latifah, she recently told Vibe magazine that the Color Purple producers offered her the role of Sophia and she declined:
//Is it true that you will be joining the cast of The Color Purple as Sofia? I was offered the role, but I'm not going to be doing it. I can't fit it right now; it's not a good time for me.//
I'm sure Queen would find the time for a movie version.
Obviously, Fantasia would play Celie.
JHud as Shug? Please. She's completely wrong for the role. But it would be amusing to see her scrambling to play second fiddle to Fantasia. Who would have thunk it? lmao
There are a number of great actresses who could play Shug.
BTW, Oprah recently stated that she wants "I'm Here" to be an anthem for girls around the world. What Oprah wants, Oprah gets.
Updated On: 12/5/07 at 10:35 PM
I think Taye Diggs or Terrence Howard would be amazing as Harpo! I think Angela Bassett would be fierce as Shug.(oh if halle berry could sing) I would cast myself as young Nettie hahahha
I think if this happened Oprah would take all the necessary measures to make it amazing, including casting amazing people, and picking a great creative team to write a better script. I have so much faith in Oprah and everything she does!
I hope they bring back that song that Shug sings in the movie-- Sister, you've been on mind. Sister we're 2 of a kind.