Multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, H.E.R. has signed on to make her feature film acting debut in the new The Color Purple movie musical. The musician has been cast in the part of Squeak in the forthcoming adaptation of the Oscar-nominated Steven Spielberg-directed 1985 period drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The new film, which is set to be helmed by Black Is King director, Blitz Bazawule, will also be inspired by the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which itself was an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel by Alice Walker. Marcus Gardley penned the latest screen adaptation, which Warner Bros.
is set to release on December 20, 2023.
The movie is currently in pre-production, and many of the other roles are still being cast. Besides H.E.R., who’s reportedly in talks with the filmmakers to also possibly perform a new original song for the musical adaptation, In The Heights star Corey Hawkins has joined the project’s cast.
Oprah Winfrey, who had her feature film acting debut in Spielberg’s screen version of The Color Purple, for which she earned an Oscar nomination, is producing the new adaptation via her Harpo Films banner. She’ll be reuniting with the director on the upcoming movie, as he’ll also be serving as a producer, through his Amblin Entertainment company.
The Color Purple follows Celie Harris’ life-long struggles as an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s. In the musical, H.E.R.’s character of Squeak, who was played by Rae Dawn Chong in Spielberg’s film, goes from being a juke joint waitress to an aspiring singer.
H.E.R. will be reuniting with Warner Bros. on The Color Purple, as she co-wrote, co-composed, co-produced and sung the track, Fight For You, for the studio’s acclaimed historical biopic, Judas and the Black Messiah, which was released this past February. The musician went on to win the Best Original Song trophy at this year’s Academy Awards for the tune during this year’s ceremony in April.
The news of H.E.R.’s casting in The Color Purple comes after she told Variety that in addition to being a top musician, she also hopes to become a top actor. “There is so much I want to do.
People don’t really get to see my comedic and fun side, except for when I’m impersonating my aunt,” she said. “But I definitely want to do a lot more voice-overs, and comedy, but also some serious roles.”
The performer continued: “I’m trying to do it all, I know. Whatever it is, one thing at a time. I’m gonna get there.”