Given that he’s the most popular and successful director of all time, not many people would have the chutzpah to re-make a Steven Spielberg classic, let alone one that was nominated for eleven Academy Awards.

But, then, Oprah Winfrey ain’t exactly most people, Fantasia Barrino told MTV News, revealing that a movie adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical was in the works.

“That’s going to happen and I’m going to do it,” the former “Idol” champ said, smiling broadly.

Fantasia just ended her run as Celie in the popular show, a role made famous twenty years ago by then up and coming actress Whoopi Goldberg. Celie’s return can wait one more year, Fantasia teased, insisting that before she can commit to the flick, she has to go off and make some of her own music first.

“We haven’t started yet because I’m going to work on my album. I think it’s fair that I committed myself, and promised that after I finish going on a tour, I’ll be ready to come back and commit myself to Miss Celie again,” Fantasia explained. “I miss my music”

So impressed with her command of the role, Oprah & Co. are going to wait for Fantasia to be ready before moving ahead with the movie to musical to movie musical adaptation, the singer beamed.

“They’re going to work with me. They don’t have to [but] that’s a favor,” Fantasia said. “Working with someone like Miss Oprah who’s so talented and amazing - It’s a blessing.”

The movie musical will be the third big budget adaptation of the popular work about the struggles of a young, black girl in early 20th century America. Celie began life in the novel by Alice Walker.

http://moviesblog.mtv.com...s-musical/

One of my favorite books ever, but I don't think I could stand watching and listening to Fantasia on stage, so I'll just stick to the book and the movie.

didn't fantasia kill the broadway show with her flaky attendance?

JackieBlue said:

I had the exact same reaction as you. For real.

sosgemini said:

Well i guess those reports were wrong.. I don't see Oprah wanting to work with her if that was the case
BTW Fantasia was amazing in the Broadway play

I've heard the broadway version was really good

Rhondab said:

Me too. I would have loved to have seen the show, especially when she was in it.

sosgemini said:

I'd have to say yesssss. I had tickets for the Wednesday after Xmas and walked up to the box office and the attendant informs me that Fantasia wasn't performing that night. I was like, WTF???? Then the lady told me she missed more than SEVENTY (70) performances in less than six months. Plus she refused to do Wednesday matinees. I ended up getting my money back even though I heard the understudy Lakisha something was really good. How unprofessional can you be???? The show closed on Broadway last month.


[Edited 3/6/08 10:35am]

sosgemini said:

I wonder what's next. Will Paul Mooney's prediction of the show turning into an ice production (like Disney) become reality

SCNDLS said:

She really doesn't deserve another shot. These younger performers have NO work ethic.

Rhondab said:

I agree. I was sooooo disappointed cuz I'd heard such good things and really wanted to see the show with her in it. The understudy. Lakisha Jones who was also a contestant on American Idol, was supposed to be excellent though. But I didn't wanna see the backup on the field. Unfortunately, when these "stars" win stardom they have no clue what it takes to be on the road constantly or do shows every night. But to miss THAT many shows is absolutely RIDICULOUS. Yeah, the producers lost tons of money.

SCNDLS said:

yeah...but what is really the difference between Lakisha and Fantasia at the end of the day.


I would have still gone to the show.

Rhondab said:

I KNOW right??? That's what my friend said. And I'm by no means a Fantasia fan, but I had friends who saw it and said she was great and Fantasia's more of a name than Lakisha what's-her-name. LOL!!! Next month, I'm going to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (directed by Debbie Allen, starring Phylicia Rashad, James Earl Jones, Anika Rose and Terrence Howard) and Thurgood (starring Laurence Fishburne). I hope none of them cancel cuz I'll be all
[Edited 3/6/08 11:18am]

Rhondab said:

Well Oprah feel otherwise and i've seen the show twice, once with Fantasia and one without and trust me it was a big diffrence and Lakisha joined the show for it's last run when Chaka and Bebe were the top draw, Lakisha wasn't playing a major character (she wasn't Fantasia's under study) Saycon Sengbloh was the understudy and took over as Celie when Fantasia left

Lakisha just played a church solist in the play (btw she was absent that night too) and played Sophia during matinees because Chaka would not do 2 performances a day
[Edited 3/6/08 11:59am]

She can't act.

banks said:

Lakisha started in the show on December 19 playing the soloist and was officially the understudy for the Sophia role. I didn't know who she was either way but the lady at the box office told me Lakisha was the understudy the night I was there which was Wednesday, December 26th. Actually, they had SEVERAL understudies for the role of Celie so it wouldn't surprise me if she was doing it since she was taking over the role on Jan. 6 when Fantasia left the show.

SCNDLS said:

yeah...I wanna see that too

SCNDLS said:

Saycon Sengbloh is who replaced Fantasia, some felt like she was better than Fantasia... I bought my mother and sister tickets who saw it the last week before closing and Lakisha was still the church soloist, Chaka was Sophie and Bebe was Harpo... in any event it still was a good show
[Edited 3/6/08 12:08pm]

banks said:

Okay, like I said I was just going by what the lady at the box office said.

Good grief, all these cast changes and cancellations. I’m glad I saw the play with the original cast and was quite happy.

SCNDLS said:

SCNDLS said:

I was halfway interested until I saw Manpurse McBabywipes' name.

I can't stand that bitch. How is his nonacting ass lurching around in every movie and now every play?

Dance said:

He's actually taking a break for a few weeks in April and Boris Kodjoe is taking over for him. I guess the real question is: Who's the better actor, Terrence or Boris???? But yeah, Terrence gets on my nerves too, cuz he plays some variation of the stock Black man as pimp stereotype in virtually every role.
[Edited 3/6/08 15:53pm]

SCNDLS said:

But you know what, I could forgive that and even tolerate him being in everything but my toothpaste IF he was good or even decent

He lives on the casting couch and clearly has no respect for acting.

I swear if I have to look at his bad perm/blowout one more time...

And who are these women that want to do him? Why? Do you want to wake up with a crapload of DAX on your face?

Dance said:

LOL! Yeah, I never thought he was cute, but he's a decent actor. Shit, he should be since he's always playing the same character. However, last year, the rumor was that they were gonna cast LL Cool J in the role of Brick. WTF??? Now THAT woulda been a hot mess.
[Edited 3/6/08 16:42pm]

Rhondab said:

I would have gone too, but I think I would've still been salty knowing she missed so many performances . Whenever I think of old Broadway schoolers Ruby Dee, Phylicia Rashad, Loretta Devine... they aren't known for having spotty attendence records like this. Even other contemporary mainstream singers who get the chance to do Broadway have well documented attendance history; Vanessa Williams, Toni Braxton, Michelle Williams... I wonder what's wrong with Fanny that she can't get her behind to work...?

...these young folks need to know you only get SO many slides with not showing up and doing your job before you are branded as unreliable... and then BLACKLISTED. Then you'll be sitting back when people don't take your calls anymore crying "Why me, what did I do..?" Not realizng that it's what you DIDN'T do that got you sitting by the phone trying to salvage your career in the first place

Ottensen said:

No work ethic, whatsoever.

Why is she even bother making another album? No one's gonna buy it She should just do the movie and pray that her fifteen minutes don't run out anytime soon.

SoulAlive said:

I agree. I'm not a fan of hers at, but I guess when the NAACP are giving her awards then others jump on the band wagon and start to think she's something special too.