Quvenzhané Wallis, nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for "Beasts of the Southern Wild," will star in the title role of a new film production of the musical "Annie" for Overbrook Entertainment, Marcy Media, director Will Gluck and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The announcement was made Sunday by Doug Belgrad, president of Sony's Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of production for the studio.
"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.
Also read: Why 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' Is the Box Office Winner in Oscar's Best-Picture Race
Gluck is currently revising the film’s screenplay, which was written by Emma Thompson and rewritten by Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the musical stage play “Annie.”
The film is being overseen at the studio by Andrea Giannetti and Devon Franklin.
"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," Minghella said. "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.”