In the Heights star Corey Hawkins has been tipped to play Harpo in the film adaptation of Broadway musical, The Color Purple. 

Directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black is King), The Color Purple is currently scheduled for release on 21 December 2023.

Marcus Gardley is writing the screenplay based on the Broadway production written by Marsha Norman, with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

Hawkins can be seen playing Benny in Jon M. Chu’s recent film adaptation of In The Heights, based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway award-winning musical.

The Color Purple opened on Broadway in 2005, earning itself 11 Tony award nominations and winning one for LaChanze’s role as Celie. The 2015 revival received 4 further Tony nominations and won for Best Revival of a Musical and for Cynthia Erivo in her Broadway debut.