Back a few months ago when we reported that Will Smith and Jay-Z were looking to team up for an Annie reboot, it was just a big what if. Now it looks like it’s going to be a reality now that director Will Gluck ( Friends With Benefits ) is going forward with it.
So what does this mean exactly? Are we going to see Will Smith in an Annie wig? Jay-Z as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks? Not exactly. When we first reported the Annie project, Will Smith’s daughter Willow Smith was attached to the project, but since then she has outgrown the role. So far there’s no one cast as Annie, but we’re sure Gluck and his casting director will scour to find the perfect Annie.
Because Annie is no longer played by Willow Smith, Gluck is said to be in the middle of revising the screenplay, which was written by Emma Thompson. The film will still have its contemporary feel and that will be in part to Jay-Z, who will score the film with Marcy Media. Although Willow Smith has dropped out, Will and Jada Smith are still in place to produce the film with their banner Overbrook Entertainment.
Sony’s Doug Belgrad released a statement regarding the film and Will Gluck’s involvement stating :
“After seeing firsthand his work on several films for Sony, including Easy A and Friends With Benefits, we’re huge fans of Will Gluck. At the helm of Annie, he will bring to this film all the charm of the original Broadway production while also appealing to a new generation.”
Are you excited for the Annie reboot?