The film remake finally signed on a director in Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends With Benefits). But is the anticipation still high without little Ms. Willow Smith?
The project has been slowly developing and gaining speed for the past couple of years, with Hollywood power parents Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith producing Annie through their Overbrook Entertainment banner. Originally, the plan was for the Smiths’ pop-star, Roc Nation-signed daughter Willow to assume the role of the iconic orphan in a contemporary re-envisioning of the story. However, Willow Smith will no longer play Annie, as she is considered to have outgrown the lead role.
Director Will Gluck has quite the duty on his hands, as he will be revising the adapted screenplay originally penned by Oscar-winning writer/actress Emma Thompson (Beautiful Creatures) in preparation for a fall production start date.
Jay-Z, alongside Tyran Smith and their Marcy Media, have also signed on to produce the picture with the former also handling the scoring duties. The Roc Nation CEO is also scoring The Great Gatsby for filmmaker Baz Luhrmman and stars Leonardo DiCaprio in the central role.
Who do you think would be right for the Annie lead role? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Props: Screen Rant