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Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Alice Walker, the book was originally brought to the big screen in 1985. Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, the Stephen Spielberg-directed seminal film told the heartbreaking, coming-of-age story of Celie Harris, a dark-skinned young Black girl subjected to years of abuse by the men in her life and forced away from her younger sister Nettie.
It isn’t until she meets her new friends — namely Sofia and Shug Avery — that Celie learns what it means to truly be free and to live life on her own terms, away from pain, struggle, and oppression.
In anticipation of the new movie musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” let’s take a look back at the iconic 1985 cast and who takes on their roles in the new film.
Oprah Winfrey, left; Danielle Brooks. Photo: Getty Images Warner Brothers; Christopher Polk/Variety
Shug Avery, then: Margaret Avery|| Now: Taraji P. Henson
Margaret Avery, left; Taraji P. Henson. Photo: Getty Images Sunset Boulevard/Corbis; Gilbert Flores/Variety
Mister, then: Danny Glover|| Now: Colman Domingo
Danny Glover, left; Colman Domingo. Photo: Getty Images Warner Brothers; JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter
Old Mister, then: Adolph Caesar|| Now: Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr as he participates in an onstage conversation at the Meditation Museum, Silver Spring, Maryland, October 27, 2017. Photo: Getty Images Howard Ruffner
Rev. Samuel Avery, then: Carl Anderson|| Now: David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier attends the world premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s “Candy Cane Lane” at Regency Village Theatre on November 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer
Corey Hawkins attends ELLE’s Women In Hollywood Celebration at Nya Studios on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter
Grady, Shug’s Husband, then: Bennet Guillory|| Now: Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste attends the American Symphony New Orleans Premiere on December 07, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Erika Goldring for Netflix
Papa Harris, then: Leonard Jackson|| Now: Deon Cole
Deon Cole at the premiere of “The Color Purple” held at The Academy Museum on December 6, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Christopher Polk/Variety
Squeak, then: Rae Dawn Chong|| Now: H.E.R.
Gabriella Wilson aka H.E.R. attends the World Premiere of Warner Bros.’ “The Color Purple” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Kayla Oaddams/WireImage
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