Theater News

Will Smith, Jay-Z Developing Movie Remake of Annie

Will Smith
(© Tristan Fuge)
Will Smith
(© Tristan Fuge)

Will Smith and hip-hop star Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter are developing a movie remake of the musical Annie, according to a report in Variety. Smith’s daughter Willow is in talks to star in the project.

The show, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, is based on the newspaper character Little Orphan Annie. The original production opened on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre, and went on to win and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, among other honors, and ran for six years.

It has previously been filmed for Hollywood, starring Carol Burnett, and for television, starring Kathy Bates.

Jay-Z previously worked with Willow Smith on her hit “Whip My Hair” and was a producer of Fela! on Broadway along with Will Smith.