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How the new cast of 'The Color Purple' compares to the stars of the 1985 movie

How the new cast of 'The Color Purple' compares to the stars of the 1985 movie

Olivia Singh

Left: Desreta Jackson as Celie and Akosua Busia as Nettie in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Celie and Halle Bailey as Nettie in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple."Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

A new version of "The Color Purple" hits theaters on Monday, December 25.
The movie is based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play of the same name.

A reimagining of "The Color Purple," based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the musical stage play of the same name, has arrived.

Director Blitz Bazawule's take on the story stars notable actors, including Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, and Colman Domingo.

Here's how the new movie's cast compares to that of Steven Spielberg's 1985 film adaptation of "The Color Purple."

Celie Harris, the protagonist of "The Color Purple," was portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1985 movie. In the new version, Fantasia Barrino plays the character.

Left: Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Fantasia Barrino as Celie in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

Goldberg's performance as Celie resulted in an Academy Award nomination.

Barrino, who rose to fame after winning season three of "American Idol," previously starred as Celie in the Broadway musical adaptation of Walker's novel.

Her role in Bazawule's movie marks her feature-film debut.

In Spielberg's 1985 film, Margaret Avery played Shug Avery, a talented singer. In the new movie, Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson takes on the role.

Left: Margaret Avery as Shug Avery in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Ser Baffo/Warner Bros.

Even though Avery played the character, her singing voice was dubbed by Táta Vega. Avery earned an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in "The Color Purple."

Henson is known for her roles in films like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Hustle & Flow" as well as the TV series "Empire."

Sofia, previously played by Oprah Winfrey, is portrayed by "Orange Is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks in the 2023 remake.

Left: Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Danielle Brooks as Sofia in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros Pictures

Winfrey also nabbed an Oscar nominee for her supporting role in "The Color Purple."

Brooks previously starred as Sofia in the Broadway musical adaptation, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.

Celie's abusive husband, Albert "Mister" Johnson, was played by Danny Glover. Colman Domingo takes over in the new movie.

Left: Danny Glover as Mister in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Colman Domingo as Mister in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Eli Adé/Warner Bros.

Domingo won an Emmy for his guest-starring role as Ali on "Euphoria" in 2022. He's also a Tony nominee.

Willard E. Pugh starred as Mister's son Harpo in the 1985 movie. Corey Hawkins plays the part in Bazawule's reimagining.

Left: Willard E. Pugh as Harpo in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Corey Hawkins as Harpo in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

Hawkins is another Tony nominee. He's also known for roles in "Straight Outta Compton" and "The Walking Dead."

Desreta Jackson portrayed the young version of Celie in the 1985 movie. She's played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi in the new film.

Left: Desreta Jackson as Celie in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Celie in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

"The Color Purple" focuses on Celie's journey to become an independent woman, free of oppression. Along the way, she forges sisterhoods with Shug and Sofia.

The 2023 movie is Mpasi's feature-film debut.

Akosua Busia starred as Celie's sister Nettie in the 1985 film adaptation of "The Color Purple." In the remake, Halle Bailey plays young Nettie.

Left: Akosua Busia as Nettie in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Halle Bailey as Nettie in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros. Pictures

Before starring as Ariel in the 2023 live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," Bailey portrayed Sky Forster on the Freeform series "Grown-ish."

Outside of acting, she's known for being one-half of the Grammy-nominated duo Chloe x Halle with her sister, Chloe Bailey.

Ciara portrays the older version of Nettie in the 2023 movie.

Left: Akosua Busia as Nettie in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Ciara as Nettie in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

Busia played Nettie at both ages in Spielberg's movie. Two actors are used to portray the character at different periods in Bazawule's film.

Ciara is a Grammy-winning musician best known for songs such as "Like a Boy," "Level Up," and "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott.

Rae Dawn Chong portrayed Mary Agnes, better known as Squeak, in Spielberg's movie. H.E.R. plays the updated character.

Left: Rae Dawn Chong as Squeak in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: H.E.R. as Squeak in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

In the music world, Gabriella Wilson is known by the stage name H.E.R., which is an acronym for "Having Everything Revealed." She's a five-time Grammy winner.

Shug's husband Grady was previously portrayed by Bennet Guillory. Jon Batiste plays him in the reimagining.

Left: Bennet Guillory as Grady in the 1985 version of "The Color Purple." Right: Jon Batiste as Grady in the 2023 version of "The Color Purple." Warner Bros.; Warner Bros.

Batiste, a five-time Grammy winner, makes his acting debut in "The Color Purple."

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