Blitz Bazawule, the director of the new musical movie version of The Color Purple, along with his famous cast, recently visited The View to chat with Whoopi Goldberg. Goldberg had a memorable role in the 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel. This was a special visit, as it’s been about 40 years since Goldberg portrayed Celie, a character who goes through a lot in the South. Bazawule and his stars, including Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, and Taraji P. Henson, were there to show their respect and admiration for Goldberg.
Bazawule mentioned the importance of The Color Purple and how it requires something special from those who work on it. Goldberg’s role in the 1985 film, directed by Steven Spielberg, was her first big movie and led to an Oscar nomination. She’s now an EGOT winner, which is rare and impressive. Brooks and others praised Goldberg, acknowledging her influence and trailblazing achievements.
What many people didn’t realize was that Goldberg actually made a brief appearance in the new film. Bazawule kept this a secret, with only a few crew members knowing. Goldberg appears as a midwife helping the young Celie, played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, during childbirth. This cameo symbolizes passing on the legacy to new generations, making it a special part of the film.
The 2023 film continues the legacy of the 1985 version in several ways. Spielberg and Quincy Jones, who worked on the original film, are involved, as are Oprah Winfrey, who had a significant role in the original, and Scott Sanders, who is connected to the Broadway musical adaptation. Bazawule wanted to bridge the old and new casts, choosing Goldberg for her iconic association with the film.
Screenwriters Marcus Gardley and Bazawule thought Goldberg’s role as a midwife was symbolically fitting. The scene was designed to be meaningful, showing Goldberg as a guiding figure for the new generation. Goldberg agreed to the role warmly, making the director very relieved and happy.
How ‘The Color Purple' Landed That Major Cameo and Kept It a Secret Until Releasehttps://t.co/tACnF1at5j
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'The Color Purple': Whoopi Goldberg Cameo Explained https://t.co/JJoStxhDeZ
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Winfrey, for her part, chose not to appear in the new film, thinking it might distract viewers. However, she appreciated Goldberg’s cameo as a tribute and a neat surprise for longtime fans. The cameo was kept under wraps, with the director not revealing when or if Goldberg saw the film’s final version, but it’s assumed she liked it, given her positive interaction with the team on The View. Source
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