Easy A’s Will Gluck to direct the Will Smith/Jay-Z produced remake of Annie

ANNIE is a classic character who has existed in both comic strip and musicals of both stage and screen. Every time, she has been portrayed as a little orphan during the 1930s. Will Smith has been developing a contemporary remake of the 1982 musical for years now with aims to have his daughter Willow star.

According to Deadline, EASY A and FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS director Will Gluck has taken over directing duties on the film. Will Smith will produce along with Jay-Z, but Willow Smith will no longer star as she has outgrown the role of the little orphan.

I am partial to the 1982 film featuring Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, and Tim Curry. It is a fun, family friendly musical with some classic tunes. Jay-Z famously used the refrain from “It’s A Hard Knock Life” for his similarly titled 1998 hit song.

The remake is being rewritten by Gluck. The previous draft was written by Oscar winner Emma Thompson and based on the original stage musical. No new casting was announced but plans are for the film to still hit theaters in 2014.