Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in “The Color Purple.” This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule (“Black Is King,” “The Burial of Kojo”) and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
“The Color Purple” stars Taraji P. Henson (“What Men Want,” “Hidden Figures”), Danielle Brooks (“Peacemaker,” “Orange Is the New Black”), Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Fear the Walking Dead”), Corey Hawkins (“In the Heights,” “BlacKkKlansman”), H.E.R. (“Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration”), Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid,” “Grown-ish”), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,” “If Beale Street Could Talk”), and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley (“Maid,” “The Chi”), based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott and Michael Beugg.
Joining director Bazawule behind the camera are director of photography Dan Laustsen (“John Wick: Chapter 4,” “The Shape of Water”), production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“The Flash,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) and editor Jon Poll (“Bombshell,” “The Greatest Showman”). The choreographer is Fatima Robinson (“Coming 2 America,” “Dreamgirls”) and the costumes are designed by Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (“Emancipation,” “One Night in Miami…”). The music supervisors are Jordan Carroll (“The Greatest Showman,” “Godfather of Harlem”) and Morgan Rhodes (“Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Selma”); the music is by Kris Bowers (“King Richard,” “Green Book”); and the executive music producers are Nick Baxter (“Babylon,” “CODA”), Stephen Bray (“Respect,” “Juanita”) and Blitz Bazawule.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Harpo Films Production, an Amblin Entertainment Production, a Scott Sanders Production/a QJP Production, “The Color Purple.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theatres in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
It’s day four of the SXSW Festival and things are still moving a mile a minute. We attended two different Panels today that consisted of Actors and Producers of some of our favourite movies.
The first talk was from Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum who are here promoting their newest Film together called Adopt A Highway. It follows an ex-convict who finds a child in a dumpster and changes his life. The two spoke about working on prior projects together, such as Sinister and The Purge, and how Adopt A Highway is different from those. Blum stated that 80 per cent of the Films Blumhouse produces are of the Horror genre, while 20 per cent aren’t. His newest Film falls in the 20 per cent category. He said that he makes sure he really loves the content and the people working on the project if it is going to be outside of the Horror genre. The two also spoke about their long-time friendship, which even got Blum teary-eyed.
The second Panel was for the star and Executive Producer of the new Hulu show, Shrill. Aidy Bryant stars as Annie, a woman who wants to change her life but never her figure. Elizabeth Banks serves as Executive Producer and also attended the Panel. Banks had a lot to talk about in regards to the Show and her career from starting out as an actress to now producing and directing some of the most successful Film and TV Shows. “I am here for the revolution, that is women making more content,” she proudly pronounced to a huge round of applause. Banks also spoke about her upcoming Charlie’s Angels Film which she is directing, producing, writing and acting in! She said she doesn’t want to give too much away, but is really excited for it.
Then the Film Premieres began down at The Paramount Theatre once again tonight. First up was the newest Film from Director Chris Morris called The Day Shall Come. It stars Anna Kendrick, Danielle Brooks, Jim Gaffigan, Marchánt Davis and more. Before the Film started, the stars arrived and each spent time with their fans.
The final Film of the night was Good Boys which has a lot of Canadian talent attached to it. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg produced the Film and Canada’s golden boy Jacob Tremblay stars in it. The Trailer for the Film also dropped today, and for those of you who have seen it, then you know this Film is going to be funny. And we can confirm it is the funniest Film we have seen at SXSW and in a while! The audience constantly was laughing or having “aww” moments during Good Boys. The boys charmed the audience in-person also in their Q&A.
Things begin to slow down a bit starting tomorrow as the Festival’s Awards Ceremony honouring those titles in competition, will take place in the evening.
It’s been far too long since we’ve heard from the ladies of Litchfield! Check-out the new Teaser Trailer for Season 6 of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.
Synopsis:
The ladies of Litchfield are back with iron wills and nothing to lose. In maximum security, friendships will be tested and new allegiances will be formed. Will they turn on each other or keep their bonds intact?
See the Trailer:
Season 6 of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK streams Friday, July 27, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
We’re all eagerly awaiting the return of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK and to pump us up, comes this exciting new sneak peek featuring the first 60 seconds of the fifth season’s first episode! Does this ever look intense!
Synopsis:
A riot sparked by Poussey‘s (Samira Wiley) death quickly escalates when the inmates gain control of the prison. Once they get a taste of power, chaos erupts in the halls of Litchfield. The unprecedented season will take place in real time and over the course of just three days, leaving the inmates’ lives forever changed as they are emboldened to fight for redemption, resolution and the respect they deserve.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK Season Five streams on Netflix Canada Friday, June 9, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
It’s been far too long since we’ve heard from our favourite Ladies of Litchfield and just in time for the Holidays we get a v. special rendition of 12 Days of Christmas! Although we’re still waiting on a confirmed release date for Season Three of Netflix‘s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, we do know that it will roughly be mid-2015 that we get reunited. In the meantime, enjoy this goofy Holiday Treat!
Watch the Cast of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK perform 12 Days of Christmas:
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
If there was any doubt that the second season of Netflix‘s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK lives-up to the promise, then let those fears be alleviated. Black certainly is back and with days left till the release of its new Season, here’s a friendly reminder that you can cancel your weekend plans right now because you will be hooked right from the get-go.
Attending a Screening of the first two episodes of Season Two tonight atop TIFF Bell Lightbox, my jaw dropped to learn that Academy Award-winning Actress Jodie Foster helmed the first episode. Without giving anything away, you will be floored by the performances which many would agree were stepped-up a notch. Taylor Schilling continues to wow and those of us who fell in love with breakout actress Danielle Brooks will find plenty to love about Taystee‘s new character developments.
Some Snaps from the night, including some Series-inspired Cocktails, which were phenomenal:
Oh how we’ve missed you. Some brand new Stills from the second season of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK have just surfaced and without giving too much away here’s our official Synopsis:
The highly-anticipated second season of Netflix’s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK gives us a closer look at our favorite, darkly funny prisoners; their shifting alliances within Litchfield and conflicts we never saw coming. The Series’ unforgettable Ensemble includes Taylor Schilling, Jason Biggs, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Danielle Brooks, Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne, Taryn Manning, Laverne Cox, Michael Harney, Samira Wiley, Yael Stone and more. Lorraine Toussaint joins the Cast in season two as Yvonne “Vee” Parker.
Check-out these brand-new Stills below from our beloved NETFLIX Series:
Awful intrigued by that Still of Schilling and Prepon all warm and friendly…
In case you missed it, here’s a Teaser for the second season!
The 13-episode second season of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK streams Friday, June 6, 2014 on Netflix Canada.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix Canada)
Hot off the success of their Original Series House of Cards, Netflix is placing its hopes in Prison-set Series, Orange is the New Black, based on the Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman. Starring Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, a Brooklynite who is sent to jail for possession of a suitcase filled with drug money for her Ex-Girlfriend/international Drug Smuggler, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). Piper must endure her 15-month sentence, dealing with a mix of personalities at the minimum-security Facility, taken away from her comfortable life and beloved Fiancé, Larry (Jason Biggs).
In Toronto today (at one of the City’s poshest Hotels) to promote Orange is the New Black were Kerman, Biggs, Prepon and Newcomer Danielle Brooks who plays the outrageous Inmate Taystee, while Schilling unfortunately fell ill, unable to be present physically for this round of Press.
PIPER KERMAN
A lovely and well-spoken Kerman addresses a room of Journalists first and if any Onlooker were to guess who in the room had served time in Prison, she likely would be last on the list. She gives us a jaw-dropping statistic, “In the U.S., Women are the fastest growing percentage of those in Prison over past 20 years; their number has grown 800%. More and more, that Person wearing that orange jumpsuit is a Woman.”
I ask her to take us back in time to 1998 when she was indicted. We learned that it took six grueling years before finally she entered Prison in 2004. “I always knew I was going to jail. There was no doubt about it”, she recalls. “Much of the first year, I spent lying on my back thinking I’d ruined my life. After a certain point you just pick-up your head and decide it’s just best to get on with it. When finally I had to serve time, I was ready to get this over with.”.
Does Series Creator Jenji Kohan (Weeds) however, succeed at transforming her powerful Story to Television, we wonder? “Even though Piper Chapman‘s Storylines aren’t the same as my own, I think a lot of the conflict still is depicted on the Show and that is realistic.”. Make no mistake, this Series is more than just a Dramedy – it is an observation of the injustices within the U.S. Justice System. “Different Americans are treated very differently by the Criminal Justice System”. She adds, “Life in Prison is very intentionally hidden. I thought by telling my own Story, people would walk way with a very different sense of what goes on in Prison. The Show however, absolutely does that. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”.
LAURA PREPON
The vivacious Laura Prepon has become a household name for her work on massively popular Sitcom, That ’70s Show, as Donna Pinciotti. After a brief stint starring on NBC‘s Are You There, Chelsea?, the Actress actually was in Germany when she received her 14 hours notice that she landed her Role in Orange is the New Black and that she was soon to begin filming in New York. Almost completely unrecognizable as what she calls a “manipulative, international drug-smuggling Lesbian”, I ask her about her dramatic transformation and how her look was achieved.
“I actually wanted to be more tatted, but Jenji had a specific thing she wanted. There was this one tattoo of a Woman on my arm and I was like, ‘Really, Jenji??’. Every time I had to put it on, it wouldn’t stick and it’s because she (the Woman in the tattoo) knows we hated her!”, she kids. “The Rockabilly look took a while to figure out, but once we did, we were good”. But how does one stand out and define themselves among an immensely-talented Cast all wearing that same thing? “I rolled-up my sleeves, had my black eyeliner which Alex got through the bartering system and my glasses”, Prepon divulges about her customized look.
Torontonians certainly haven’t forgotten about Prepon‘s portrayal of Serial Killer Karla Homolka in 2006’s Karla. Once again playing a Criminal in this new Series, she distinguishes between the two. “Karla was an evil Individual and so was her Husband. Alex on the other hand is a good person. She’s wily, smart and does what she does to survive. She runs an international Drug Ring, but she’s good at what she does”, she explains. “I never want to get complacent in a role. I always want to push myself as an Actress. I’m proud of my work in Karla.“.
Although she long has been against the idea of Nudity, she always told herself she’d make an exception if it were done as tastefully as in Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons. Opportunity came knocking in last year’s Comedy, Lay the Favourite, helmed by that one and she agreed for the first time ever to appear nude on-screen. Once again in Orange is the New Black, she learned that disrobing would be required telling us, “Jenji and I had a conversation and she assured me it wouldn’t be gratuitous. It actually would have looked weird if I were hiding. So as long as it’s not gratuitous, I’m okay with it.”.
DANIELLE BROOKS
Danielle Brooks might be a Newcomer, but she has been hard at work honing her talents as a Graduate of The Juilliard School. And if her recently being cast in the third season of HBO‘s Girls is any indication, the disarming young Actress is onto something huge. On her experience working with this brilliant Ensemble she says, “A lot of the time we didn’t stay in our Trailers, we stood around watching each other on-set learning.”. She admits to being a huge Fan of Co-Star Natasha Lyonne (like Biggs, known best for American Pie) who stars as fiery Inmate Nicky Nichols. “Natasha is my Homegirl. She can be really chill and a ball of fire. I’ve got mad love for her and I’ve been following her Career long before this.”.
On her outrageous Character Taystee she explains, “She is a Child of the System who found comfort being in Prison. There are people whose lives outside are actually harder than being on the inside. She winds up becoming the Leader of the Black Whack and in her mind runs this place.”.
Many will be surprised that Academy Award Winner Jodie Foster and former Teen Heartthrob Andrew McCarthy each directed episodes of Orange is the New Black in its first Season. On that experience, Brooks admits “They know the lingo which Actors like. They’ve been been doing it for years and have an eye for the Craft. Jodie was quiet and soft-spoken, while Andrew knew exactly what he wanted and we had to do it! Michael Trim was just awesome.”.
JASON BIGGS
Perhaps the liveliest of the four Talents today, American Pie Star Biggs‘ arrival at the Junket drew the most smiles. “Hi, F*ckers!”, he greets us, before poking fun at his own Masturbation scenes in Orange is the new Black, drawing laughter from the Journalists. “Would anyone like me to demonstrate it for you?”.
His role in the Series is perhaps a bit more subdued that what we are accustomed to from him as Schilling‘s likeable Fiancé, Larry. On prepping to create a sweet and believable chemistry between him and his Co-Star, he says in a deadpan voice, “Well, we had to have sex a couple times…”. He was joking of course, adding “Taylor is just so easy to be around and an amazing Scene Partner. She is gonna win every Award and deserves all the recognition she is getting.”.
He recalls the first scene they shot together, “It was me dropping her off at Prison, hugging her and saying goodbye. I don’t do emotional, serious stuff. I was nervous. And with anyone else I would’ve been less confident – way more nervous.”. Biggs continues, “She couldn’t have been more supportive for me as an Actor. I only knew this Girl for two weeks and felt really sad dropping her off at this fake Prison.”.
With a Cast filled with female Criminals, there is somewhat of a gender reversal in Orange is the New Black. “Larry’s the Good Guy, the more conservative of the two. He’s aware of her Crazy Girl past… he’s attracted to that, but realizes she’s ostensibly changed.”. On Larry‘s biggest challenge in being apart from Piper, he believes “We knew over the course of a Season, one of the things in play would be the strain on their relationship. A consequence of her being away is that obviously there’s something to play with. How much of a Rock can he be to her over this 15 month period? Introducing Alex to the mix, what does that do? He’s definitely tested.”.
And tested these complex Characters are indeed in the juicy and addictive Orange is the New Black. The complete first Season is now available on Netflix in its 13-episode entirety.
Listen to the complete Toronto Junket in full below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Trends may come and go, but one thing is for sure, orange is the new black! Netflix Canada and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers the chance to win an iPod Touch, a six-month Netflix Canada Membership and even more, an Orange is the New Black Prize Pack including a signed copy of the Novel by Piper Kerman, on which the Series is based. If it’s any indication just how good the Series is, a second Season of already has been green-lit. Even more, Regina Spektor has been confirmed to pen its Theme Song, out on iTunes tomorrow!
Created and Executive-Produced by Jenji Kohan (Weeds) and based on the U.S. best-selling Memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman, the Comedic-Drama starring Taylor Schilling follows engaged-Brooklynite, Piper Chapman (Schilling), whose decade-old relationship with drug-runner Alex (Laura Prepon) results in her arrest and year-long detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper must trade her comfortable New York life with Fiancé Larry (Jason Biggs) for an orange jumpsuit and a baffling prison culture where she is forced to question everything she believes and form unexpected new alliances with a group of eccentric and outspoken inmates. The Series also stars Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Pablo Schreiber, Danielle Brooks, Matt McGorry, Laverne Cox and Taryn Manning.
See the Trailer below:
To enter to win all the above, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before Sunday, July 14, 2013. Double your chances by sharing this Post on Facebook with your Friends or Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/orangeisthenewblack @MRWILLW wants us to #win an #OrangeisthenewBlack Prize Pack, an iPod Touch and a six-month #Netflix membership!
Canadian Readers only, please. Good luck, Wongsters!
Neflix releases Orange is the New Black Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 12:01 PAC.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
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