News

Oprah Winfrey Claims Warner Bros. Production Wanted Beyoncé and Rihanna to Star In ‘The Color Purple’

The musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” has been receiving nonstop praise from critics, but according to Oprah Winfrey a switch-up in the cast could have changed the film’s entire dynamic.

Oprah reveals that Beyoncé and Rihanna were considered for ‘The Color Purple.’ (Left) Beyoncé (Pictured: @beyonce/Instagram) (Middle) Oprah Winfrey (Pictured: @oprah/Instagram) (Right) Rihanna (Pictured: @badgalriri/Instagram)

While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Winfrey, who acted as Sofia in the 1985 version of the film, revealed how much pressure she felt to create a guaranteed box-office hit. The 69-year-old also worked as one of the producers for the forthcoming film alongside Steven Spielberg.

“If you were doing this film for $30 million or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different,” Winfrey shared.

The new film is based around Fantasia Barinno, who played an older Celie. Once the budget increased to “$90 to $100 million,” Winfrey said other Grammy-winning stars started to come up in the conversations. She said, “Then everyone wants to bring Beyoncé… ‘Can you get Beyoncé’ or ‘… can you get Rihanna.’ ”

Although Winfrey recognized the star power both Beyoncé and Rihanna carry, she admitted that there were “other actors” who were more than capable of successfully conveying the roles of the fictional characters.

 

“So, we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’ I do remember conversations about, ‘Y’all Beyoncé is going to be busy this year.’ It wasn’t even a negotiation, because you’re not getting Beyoncé.”

“Busy” might be an understatement for the “Renaissance” singer, who just closed out her six-month-long “Renaissance World Tour” in October. In November, she released her highly awaited documentary film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.”

While everyone’s favorite bad gyal may not have just finished a tour or starred in a film, she did perform a 14-minute set during the Apple Music halftime show for Super Bowl LVII in February.

Riri also appears to be enjoying motherhood, after welcoming her second child with boyfriend and rapper A$AP Rocky. The “Cockiness (Love It) Remix” collaborators already have a 1-year-old son, RZA, who was named after the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan.

News about Beyoncé and Rihanna being considered for “The Color Purple” caught several individuals under The Neighborhood Talk’s Instagram post by surprise. Many handlers even questioned the truthfulness behind Winfrey’s statement.

One person wrote, “Stop playing in our face,” while another user said, “Nah this wouldn’t have been a fit for either of them. And the names are too big as well, let’s not overshadow the movie and the other stars of the movie.”

Winfrey never mentioned what roles people suggested Beyoncé and Rihanna for, but she did speak on her belief in the film’s success.

“This is a cultural manifesto in a way for our community, and it deserves to have the support that’s needed to make it what it needs to be,” Winfrey said.

Winfrey and Spielberg’s production of “The Color Purple” is set to hit theaters on Dec. 25, also starring Taraji P. Henson as Shug, and Danielle Brooks as Sofia. A few more notable names in the film include Ciara, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as a young Celie.

Related Posts

Labour’s big new ‘back to work’ threat to strip youngsters of their benefits if they are unwilling to graft or train already happens, admits minister –  and they can appeal if it’s too harsh

Labour’s big ‘back to work’ threat to strip unwilling teens of their benefits if they don’t try to get a job or train is just a continuation of the current system, a senior minister admitted today. Alison McGovern was grilled over the drive to ‘get Britain working again’ and achieve an ‘ambitious’ target of getting another 2 million people into jobs. As well as targeting the long-term sick, ministers have also vowed that those aged 18 to 21 who are out of work but refuse to look for a job, seek training or an apprenticeship, will get no taxpayer cash.

Israel and Hezbollah on the cusp of a peace deal: Netanyahu ‘gives green light to ceasefire proposal’

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah could see the terrorist organisation leave southern Lebanon and the IDF withdraw its troops. The deal, which reportedly has the support of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could see the nearly two-month military incursion to come to an end. A source within the government told the Daily Telegraph that the Israeli cabinet will vote on the proposals drawn up by the United States today.

Reason I’m A Celebrity’s Tulisa and Reverend Richard Coles are exempt from height trials is revealed

I’m A Celebrity fans discovered last night that Tulisa and Reverend Richard Coles were exempt from height trials, with the N-Dubz singer accidentally revealing hers was on ‘medical grounds’. Before the voting opened for tonight’s Bushtucker trial, the show’s longtime hosts Ant and Dec announced Tulisa, 36, and Reverend Coles, 62, would be exempt from the trial with no further explanation. Fans were left speculating as to why even when the Geordie duo told the camp Dean McCullough, 32, was going to face a trial yet again.

New bank holiday planned to mark major event anniversary in 2025

Brits are to get a new bank holiday next year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War – with a bumper four-day weekend planned. The major celebration will be marking the heroics of the ‘Greatest Generation’ who fought against Hitler and the Nazis in Europe and Africa, and Imperial Japan in Asia. And as part of a big year of events, a four-day jamboree will reportedly be staged either in May or August.

Gavin Newsom proposes ‘insane’ move against Elon Musk as he attempts to defy Trump with electric car rebates that excludes Tesla

Gavin Newsom is plotting to defy Donald Trump while stiffing key MAGA ally Elon Musk, as California plans an electric vehicle rebate program that intentionally leaves out Tesla. The California governor is planning to introduce a state tax rebate on purchasing electric cars if the Trump administration eliminates the federal tax cut. Newsom even bragged that his policies have made Tesla and Musk ‘so damn successful.’

Supreme Court hearing which will determine the definition of a woman begins TODAY – in a case with major implications for female-only spaces

A Supreme Court hearing that will determine the definition of a woman begins today in a case with major implications for female-only spaces. The case – which has been brought by gender-critical activists – will see five justices consider the question: ‘Is a person with a full gender recognition certificate which recognises that their gender is female, a ‘woman’ for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010?’ Feminist group For Women Scotland (FWS) will argue that trans women should not be able to fill roles meant for biological women under legislation designed to ensure equal numbers of men and women on company boards.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *