Ciara has signed on for a role in the upcoming movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple, as the adult version of Halle Bailey’s Nettie.
The “Goodies” singer took to Twitter on Tuesday to share her gratitude. “Honored to be a part of this beautiful ensemble and historic film, The Color Purple. Truly grateful,” she tweeted.
The film will star Fantasia Barrino as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, and Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery.
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The adaptation is produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey played Sofia in the 1985 Warner Bros. theatrical version directed by Spielberg.
Production for The Color Purple is set to begin in late March in the state of Georgia. Additional cast members include Colman Domingo as Mister; Corey Hawkins as Harpo; musical artist H.E.R. as Squeak; Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister; and David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery.
The film is set for a December 2023 theatrical release. It comes nearly 40 years after Spielberg directed the original adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the coming-of-age story of a group of Black women — Celie and her two friends — living in rural Georgia in the 1930s.
In the original film, Whoopi Goldberg played Celie and Margaret Avery portrayed Shug. Goldberg, Avery and Winfrey all received Academy Award nominations for their performances.
Ciara’s role in the new movie will add to her growing list of acting credits. Her previous roles include: MTV’s All You’ve Got and the 2012 Adam Sandler comedy That’s My Boy. Ciara also had a recurring role in the sixth season of the BET sitcom The Game.
