Annie Movie Remake, Starring Willow Smith, to Begin Production in Spring 2013

The previously announced film remake of Annie, starring Willow Smith and featuring new music from Jay-Z, will begin production in New York in the spring of 2013, according to the U.K.'s The Sun. The film will feature a screenplay by Oscar winner Emma Thompson, with Smith's father, Will Smith, serving as a producer.  

Annie first opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 and ran for 2,377 performances. Featuring music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and a book by Thomas Meehan, the musical follows a young orphan as she temporarily goes to live with famous millionaire Daddy Warbucks. The musical took home seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has previously been adapted for the big screen in 1982 and again as a 1999 made-for-TV movie. A James LaPine-directed revival starring Lilla Crawford and Katie Finneran is set to begin performances on October 3 at the Palace Theatre.

No director or further casting has been announced for the project, however Smith previously said she would love for Brad Pitt to play Daddy Warbucks.