Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, the star of “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” will play the title role of “Annie,” it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio.
Commenting on the announcement in a press release distributed by the studio, Minghella said, “With the recent Academy Award® nomination and critical acclaim, Quvenzhané Wallis is a true star and we believe her portrayal as Annie will make her a true worldwide star. She is an extraordinary young talent with an amazing range, not only as an actress but as a singer and dancer, and we can’t wait for audiences to further discover her.”
“Annie” will be released during the winter holiday season in 2014. The film is being directed by Gluck and produced by James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith through Overbrook Entertainment, and by Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Jay Brown, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith through Marcy Media.
Will Gluck (“Easy A,” “Friends With Benefits”) will direct and is currently revising the film’s screenplay, which was written by Emma Thompson and rewritten by Aline Brosh McKenna. “Annie” is based on the musical stage play “Annie,” book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on “Little Orphan Annie,” © and ® Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Quvenzhané Wallis will next be seen in “Twelve Years a Slave” with Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and director Steve McQueen. “Annie” will be released during the winter holiday season in 2014.
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