When the first trailer for the 2023 reimagining of Alice Walker’s classic dropped, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. People were worried. Why touch a masterpiece? Was this just a "musical" version of the 1985 Spielberg film? Honestly, the The Color Purple movie cast 2023 had some of the biggest shoes to fill in cinematic history. We aren't just talking about a movie here; we're talking about characters that are burned into the cultural psyche of anyone who grew up watching Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover.
But here is the thing: this isn't a remake of the 85 film. Not really. It’s an adaptation of the Broadway musical, which itself was an adaptation of the book. That distinction matters because it allowed the actors to find new, weird, and deeply human corners of these characters that we hadn't seen before.
The powerhouse trio: Fantasia, Danielle, and Taraji
The backbone of this movie is the sisterhood between Celie, Sofia, and Shug Avery. If that chemistry failed, the whole thing would have crumbled like a dry biscuit.
Fantasia Barrino plays Celie, and if you're a fan of the stage show, you know she’s been here before. She played Celie on Broadway back in 2007. But doing it on film is different. In the movie, her performance is internal. It’s quiet until it isn’t. When she finally sings "I’m Here," it’s not just a song—it’s a physical release. Most people don't realize she actually had to learn tap dancing for this role, which is wild considering the emotional weight she was already carrying.
Then you've got Danielle Brooks. Look, Oprah is Sofia. That’s just a fact of life. So when Danielle Brooks stepped into those boots, she was facing the ultimate comparison. She didn't just match the energy; she earned herself an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She brings a specific kind of "hell no" defiance that feels incredibly modern but stays rooted in the 1900s Georgia setting.
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And Shug? Taraji P. Henson took Shug Avery and made her a vibrant, jazz-bleeding force of nature. In the 1985 version, Shug felt a bit more like a dream or a ghost. In 2023, Taraji makes her feel like a woman who is tired, aging, but still absolutely legendary. She did her own singing, by the way. No lip-syncing to a studio pro here.
The men of the story: A different kind of "Mister"
The way Colman Domingo approached the role of Albert "Mister" Johnson is probably the most controversial part of the film for purists. Danny Glover's Mister was a monster—plain and simple. You hated him.
Domingo, who is arguably one of the best actors working today (just look at his work in Rustin or Euphoria), decided to play him with a bit more complexity. He’s still abusive. He’s still a "villain" in many ways. But you see the generational trauma. You see a man who was broken by his own father—played in a cameo by the late, great Louis Gossett Jr.—and it makes the eventual redemption arc feel earned rather than rushed.
Then there’s Harpo. Corey Hawkins brings a sweetness to Harpo that balances out the toxic masculinity of Mister. His chemistry with Danielle Brooks is electric. They actually like each other, which makes the "Hell No" sequence even more heartbreaking because you know there’s love under all that ego.
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A breakdown of the extended ensemble
It wasn't just the leads. The supporting cast was stacked with musicians and newcomers who brought a lot of "Discover-worthy" buzz to the project:
- Halle Bailey (Young Nettie): Fresh off The Little Mermaid, she brought a pure, angelic hope to the film's early scenes.
- Phylicia Pearl Mpasi (Young Celie): This was her film debut, and she held her own against some of the biggest names in the industry.
- H.E.R. (Squeak): The Grammy-winning artist played Mary "Squeak" Agnes, and she actually got to show off her musical chops in a way that felt organic to the juke joint setting.
- Ciara (Adult Nettie): A surprise for many, Ciara stepped in to play the older version of Celie’s sister, providing the emotional payoff for the film's final act.
- Jon Batiste (Grady): The multi-instrumentalist popped up as Shug’s husband, adding a layer of cool that only Jon Batiste can provide.
Why this cast worked when everyone thought it wouldn't
There's a reason the The Color Purple movie cast 2023 swept the NAACP Image Awards with eleven wins. It’s because the director, Blitz Bazawule, didn't want them to mimic the past.
He used "magical realism."
When Celie is feeling something, the world around her changes. The cast had to act not just with each other, but with a heightened reality. For example, during the "Push Da Button" sequence, Taraji P. Henson isn't just singing in a bar; she's leading a technicolor explosion of Black joy and sexuality. That requires a level of "triple threat" talent (singing, dancing, acting) that the original 1985 cast didn't necessarily have to deploy in the same way.
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Critics like to argue about which version is "better." Honestly? It’s a pointless debate. The 1985 film is a masterpiece of drama. The 2023 film is a masterpiece of perspective. It centers Celie's internal life—her imagination—rather than just her suffering.
What you should do next
If you've only seen the clips on TikTok or heard the soundtrack, you're missing the full picture. The way these performances interlock is something you have to see in a single sitting.
Next steps for the true fan:
- Watch the "I'm Here" sequence specifically to see Fantasia’s micro-expressions. It’s a masterclass in acting.
- Compare the "Hell No" scenes between the 1985 and 2023 versions. Notice how Danielle Brooks uses her physicality differently than Oprah did.
- Look up the behind-the-scenes footage of the cast on set. There’s a famous clip of them singing Kirk Franklin songs between takes that shows just how much genuine love was in that production.
The 2023 cast didn't replace the 1985 legends. They just invited them to a bigger, louder, more colorful table. Whether you're there for the vocals or the heavy-hitting drama, this ensemble delivered a version of Celie’s journey that feels necessary for right now.