Danielle Brooks is tired. For a very good reason.
She’s in Los Angeles for the SAG Awards after a 13-hour flight from New Zealand, where she’s spent the last month shooting the movie adaptation of the popular video game “Minecraft” with Jack Black and Jason Momoa.
“I have absolutely no clue what today is,” she says, laughing, Thursday morning while promoting her new SAG Awards partnership with Campari.
Brooks goes into the SAG Awards as a nominee for female actor in a supporting role for her work as Sofia in “The Color Purple” as well as for outstanding cast for the movie. This isn’t Brooks’ first-time at the SAG Awards. She’s won three statuettes as part of the “Orange Is the New Black” ensemble. “For the fourth time we were nominated, they said, ‘Danielle, you could give the acceptance speech this time.’ And then we didn’t get it!” says Brooks, who is also a first-time Oscar nominee for her “The Color Purple” work. “Hopefully, this year.”
This time, Brooks says she will jot down some notes for an acceptance speech beforehand, “but I’m going to just go from the heart, if I’m lucky enough,” she says.
The following has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s going on in the “Color Purple” group text right now, and what is the group called?
It’s called “Shug’s shoes, we outside.” We were just congratulating our buddy Corey [Hawkins] on something. I don’t want to spoil it because I feel like he wants to share the news. He just did something great. If you see him at the SAG Awards, ask him about it. It’s an accomplishment outside of acting.
Who’s the most active on the group text?
Taraji [P. Henson], Colman [Domingo]. There are a lot of laughing-with-tears emojis, a lot of LMFAOs. And then there are a lot of gifs with Oprah and Whoopi. But, yeah, it’s a lot of celebrating like when Fantasia did the Grammys.
Did you play Minecraft before being cast in the movie?
No. I’m not going to lie. I’m learning it though. I’m just glad they have people on set like the creator and people that are really in tune with the game to help me because the little person I’ve created keeps hitting into trees or keeps falling off a cliff. I don’t know what I’m doing. But I will learn it. I have an Xbox in my trailer.
What’s the craziest stunt work you’ve had to do?
I’ve been harnessed a few times. It’s mostly the combat and learning these moves. And I’ve got a weapon, I’ll you that much. Danger, danger! [Laughs] But it’s really Jack Black, he’s the one who is doing the heavy lifting here. He’s doing some flying and having all techno-fire coming behind him.
How many “Minecraft” movies are you signed up for?
I ain’t going anywhere. [Laughs] Warner Brothers – I’m here to stay! Legendary – I’m here to stay! I’m signed on until the end of time.
How much will the movie be like the game?
I don’t know how to play the game but I know the world and the movie is pretty magical. It’s so lifelike. I don’t know how much I can share, but I do know fans will not be disappointed with the world they’ve created. We obviously do some green screen, but we got all the things there. Basically, all your senses are being used. You have the world for your sight but also for an actor, the smells of certain things. It will make more sense months from now when I can actually explain it.
Are you going to be singing the “Minecraft” theme song?
No, but I’m hopefully going to be singing in it. You can’t do a movie with Danielle Brooks and Jack Black and not have us do something. I’m having a good time.
Has there been any talk of an “Orange Is the New Black” reunion?
Not yet, but I think it will happen. I feel like maybe 10 years from now, we will all get to come back. I think everyone would lose their minds. I would so heavily enjoy working with those women again because it was just so special in those moments that we really genuinely enjoyed working with each other.
Will everyone be in prison?
Tastee definitely will be. I think Crazy Eyes too, and I feel a lot of people would work their way back to prison. That would be fun to watch, how the hell they came back.
Tell me about your partnership with Campari.
They are the official spirits of the SAG Awards for the second time in a row, and it makes sense for the SAG Awards because it’s my favorite event because you actually do get to partake in libations. I’ve been so many times that I have become one of the party girls at the SAG Award afterparties. They’re doing the Campari Red Carpet drink and it’s absolutely delicious.
How many boxes of Campari have been sent to your home now?
I think Campari needs to send me a case. I’ve been locked up in New Zealand but there’s a café right outside my apartment where I’m staying. Every now and then, I go get myself a Campari spritz with a little bit of Prosecco.
A new House of Campari pop-up is located in West Hollywood and is open to those of drinking age. For more information, go click here.
