Jon Batiste Joins ‘The Color Purple’ Movie Musical

‘The Color Purple’ continues to add to its star-studded cast.

And the latest name to onboard the hotly anticipated film is Jon Batiste.

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Basking in the glow of his big wins at the GRAMMY Awards (which saw him bag the Best Album honor), the musician will make his acting debut in the role of Grady, husband to Shug Avery (played by Taraji P. Henson). A debonair, the character is billed as a sweet-talking piano man and “the epitome of charm and eloquence.”

The refreshed incarnation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel takes on the format of a musical movie directed by Blitz Bazawule (who helmed Beyonce’s ‘Black Is King’).

Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Henson, H.E.R, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis, and Ciara are also set to appear.

‘The Color Purple’ first arrived on the big screen with its 1985 film, which was led by Whoopi Goldberg in the role of Celie. Oprah Winfrey wowed in the role of Sofia and Steven Spielberg was its director. Later, the story was gifted life anew during its reinvention as a Tony Award-winning Broadway production.

Eagerly awaited, the new incarnation of ‘The Color Purple’ lands in theaters on December 23, 2023.