Many of these films feature your favorite Black stars and characters, so we need to check in and see what unexpected surprises were dropped.
Since everything she does is interesting, we’re starting with Rihanna’s unexpected move to Smurf village.
Though she’s in the third trimester of her pregnancy, Rihanna shocked CinemaCon attendees by appearing on stage to announce that she will voice Smurfette in the latest animation film featuring the adorable blue creatures.
Per Variety, the Savage x Fenty boss is also a producer on the film and will contribute original songs. Rih joked that Smurfette wasn’t her first choice, saying, “I tried to get the Papa Smurf role but It didn’t work out.”
As cool as this news is, it will be a while before RiRi gets her Smurf on. The film is currently scheduled for release on February 14, 2025.
The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey hit the stage for a full circle moment as she touted the upcoming musical adaptation of The Color Purple. Her breakout performance as Sofia in the 1985 film netted her an Oscar nomination and a lifetime of people quoting her character’s most famous lines. She’s a producer on the movie, which is based on the Broadway production.
“The Color Purple in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that ever happened to me and continues to be,” she told the convention audience. “Now we’re doing a brand new version that could only come because of the most perfect director.”
If you’ve never seen the stage musical, it follows the same story as the movie. However, Celie and Shug’s romance is given time to blossom, while Mister has a redemption arc and Celie feels like a more complete character. Plus, Fantasia absolutely brings down the house when she sings Celie’s signature song, “I’m Here.”
Hitting theaters Dec. 25, the film stars Fantasia as Celie; Danielle Brooks, who received a Tony nomination for playing the role on Broadway, as Sofia; Colman Domingo as Mister; Corey Hawkins as Harpo; H.E.R. as Squeak; Ciara as Nettie; and Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery.
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