Jon Batiste to make film performing debut in ‘The Color Purple’ musical
Jon Batiste, who took home 5 Grammys beforehand this month, will make his huge-screen performing debut within the impending musical remake of “The Shade Purple.”
The 35-year-outdated musician — who additionally serves as musical director and bandleader for “The Late Reveal with Stephen Colbert” — is about to play Grady, the partner of enticing blues singer Shug Avery, who will probably be portrayed by 51-year-previous Taraji P. Henson (“Hidden Figures,” “Empire”). Grady was carried out by Bennet Guillory, 75, within the Academy Award-nominated 1985 movie.
Oscar-winner Batiste received Album of the 12 months on the 2022 Grammys for “We Are,” additionally topping the nominations with 11 nods in all.
The brand new mannequin of “The Coloration Purple” — a story primarily based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker — was preliminary tailored for Broadway in 2005 and in a while revived as a 2015 Broadway musical starring Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) and Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”).
Will probably be created by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Steven Spielberg, who directed and generated the earlier than movie.
Different performers at present solid encompass Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis, Corey Hawkins, Fantasia Barrino, Ciara, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier and Colman Domingo.
The Warner Bros. film will probably be directed by Blitz Bazawule and is established to strike theaters in December 2023.
