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EXCLUSIVE: Glee creator Ryan Murphy is Sony Pictures’ top choice to direct a re-imagining of the Broadway musical Annie, with Willow Smith playing the lovable orphan. The project was recently set at Sony Pictures by Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith in the joint venture they formed with Jay-Z to generate films. Sony Pictures has made the approach to Murphy, but it’s early days.
Though Willow Smith is a relative newcomer to the screen (she has I Am Legend and Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl on her resume), she scored a hit record with Whip My Hair!, and Sony’s bet on her brother Jaden in the Overbrook-produced Karate Kid remake resulted in a big hit. Murphy is also well regarded at Sony, where he directed Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts and made a $5 million deal to write and direct another picture with her. Murphy’s Glee success has turned him into a go-to guy on studio musicals, as he’s been courted by Fox for a Rocky Horror Picture Show remake, as well as to possibly turn the Broadway stage hit Wicked into a film at Universal.
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He’s directed Running with Scissors and Eat, Pray, Love–two commercial and critical failures. And Glee is so hit-miss, you don’t know what you are going to get in a given week. How can he be to go-to-guy for anything!?!? He was in a glee club in high school, what kind of experience with musicals does he have. At least Adam Shankman and Rob Marshall paid their dues in musical theater.
The only good thing to come out of this will be hopefully, the death of unnecessary remakes.
Good golly, I dislike this project in almost every possible way.
The Rocky Horror episode of GLEE was horrible.
I wholly disagree. I thought it showed a great deal of passion for the genre, and whoever directed that particular episode will probably go on to make features.
Actually he has — Adam Shankman directed that episode.
I just hope they are able to incorporate ‘Whip my Hair!’ into the film
Dear sweet Jesus. This is a terrible idea.
willow smith and ryan murphy – I always prayed those two would find each other and collaborate
could there be anything more exciting on the horizon?
They’re actually making this movie? I thought it was just an idea that Will was working on. Christ, what’s next – a “reimagined” Alice in Wonderland with black people? Home Alone with Jaden Smith?
How about a “reimagined” Roots starring Tom Cruise, Jeff Bridges, Blake Lively and Melissa Leo? The Color Purple with George Dzundza, Roseanne Barr, Joe Gordon Levitt and DJ Qualls? Hmmm…? “Blasphemy”, you say?
(See where I’m going with this?)
It’s a remake. Chill out.
I see where you’re going with this, but you’re making the mistake of equating this remake with putting white actors in famous African-American films. Roots and The Color Purple are about the black experience in America and would make no sense if it was remade with an all-white cast. It would be an insult to the story and history being portrayed in the movie.
There’s little about Annie, or let’s say The Honeymooners, that makes it specifically a “white” story. And you should also take into account that most black-centric movies pre-1980 either starred Sidney Poitier or were about drug dealers and pimps.
I mean, of course this is all a stunt, but non-white families deserve to take a break from showing their kids WHITE Annie, WHITE Home Alone, and WHITE Miracle of 34th Street.
As a person of color I find this comment both hilarious and racist…kudos…
also, those kids are talented so who knows…hollywood is shooting darts at that old horse that has been beaten to death, so why not let talented Black people benefit from it…
i would prefer original ideas, but hey…you get what you pay for…
i think Willow is more connected than she is talented. If she had to go the usual route to get acting jobs she would be standing in line. There are other kids out there that are better singers that should be offered a chance at this roll. And I don’t think her color has anything to do with it, its talent.
It’s clear where you’re going with this, stargazer, but you’re wrong to equate a remake of Annie with putting an all-white cast in the films you mentioned.
Roots and The Color Purple are specifically about the African-American experience in this country, and by remaking either with a white cast makes the story lose its meaning and creates a mockery of the history lesson.
There is nothing specifically “white” about Annie. Or Alice in Wonderland. Or Home Alone.
It might be nice for non-white parents to show their children some cinematic fairy tales about kids who look a little more like them from time to time.
Peace out!
Paul Mooney did a skit on Chappelle’s Show where he talked about white actors in racial roles. Tom Cruise in ‘The Last Samurai’, Brad Pitt in ‘The Mexican’ and speculated that next, there would be Tom Hanks in ‘The Last N*gga Alive’.
There are soo many hypocrisies in your argument. White male actors get all the roles. How many staring roles are taylor made for women? How many for African Americans? How many for any other minority? There are very few. Yet staring roles don’t need to be taylor made for white males because all the roles are written for them. Are you that attached to the original film version of Annie that you’re appalled by a remake staring an African American child? You surely didn’t make that argument in your comment. So What are you really angry about?
Can We say a much needed CHANGE is coming to Hollywood. Who cares about color as long as its a good project with great talent. Don’t Hate……
American
Thank you for the good laugh. Unfortunately it is true…plus what ever happened to creating something new?!?! There is nothing wrong with Willow being a lead, can they just come up with something new?!?
The attachment of Murphy to the project will please people who enjoyed the original Broadway musical, but wished it was terrible.
I must say something here, and I hope someone from Overbrook (well, actually only Jada and Will) sees this.
While I must say it is wonderful to have mainstream black projects being financed and distributed (versus having none at all), can you really say you are serving the black community? Or are you really only serving the Smith family?
Why wouldn’t Will and Jada, as professional producers, hold auditions to find the perfect African-American Annie? Why must every starring role from the company be either Jaden or Willow?
Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves for not opening up doors the way doors have been opened for you. You may not care what anyone says about your lives or what you are or are not giving back, but I at least hope you think about it. There are plenty of other quite deserving black child stars.
And I’m sure this is not the first time someone has brought this up to you.
Sean said, “There are plenty of other quite deserving black child stars.”
Like who? Name five. Actually, name three.
those kids from season 4 of The Wire
Sean,
I disagree, at the end of it its business. By using one of the smith kids they bring name value to a lead role that they can promote with. Even though Willow hasn’t really done anything, by having the “Will Smith’s kid” title it makes promoting the film that much easier and creating buzz fast. Not that “Annie” isn’t a name already, but i can’t really think of a young African American girl who have enough name value to lead a film. :/
You are absolutely correct in that there are no established young black female actresses out there right now – the last major one I remember was Raven Symone, who has now grown up.
This is why I suggested the producers hold a NATIONWIDE AUDITION and get PR behind this. Not only would they LAUNCH a star, but they’d have the awareness going toward their theatrical campaign.
I’m sure none of that matters though, as Overbrook seems to be a launching vehicle for the Smith kids. That may have been what Will and Jada intended in the first place, and in that case, sad as it may be, nevermind.
That’s all true but at least some children will get to be extras in the orphanage and they’ll get to sing and dance with Willow.
There are plenty of parts for children in Annie. In fact, a whole orphanage full of parts. Jada and Will are actually giving plenty of other actors a chance to shine in this film, whether they want to or not. I’m not crazy about the idea, but give credit where credit is due.
and I’m sure one of these kids might out sing & out dance Willow
Family acting dynasties are hardly new in Hollywood (the Barrymore’s, the Fonda’s). Why should the Smith’s be held to a different standard just because they’re black?
Maybe you should take a look around, “Some Dude”. I don’t think “White Acting Dynasties” need any help. Do you?
yeah but to be honest wouldnt we all do that for our kids
I HATE that hair-song. It’s awful. And worse, stupid. so I guess it won’t come as a surprise that this idea of putting this girl in an update of ANNIE (which is a period piece…so we’re going update it to what? Space? An alternate universe? Somewhere where people whip their hair?) is truly unimaginative and ridiculous.
I wouldn’t see it. I wouldn’t take my kids to see it. And we’ll pretty much see anything.
With the power Will and Jada have in this town one would think they’d be focused on doing project that actually mean something instead of trying to create stars out of their children. This is the best use of their clout and star power?
The point you’re missing is who thought EAT PRAY LOVE was a good movie? It is a prime example of a good actress ( not great but good) giving a poor performance because of bad direction. Mr Murphy may be good at “re-imagining” musicals – but he shouldn’t direct.
For your consideration in all categories
Dear JP,
Thank you, we have taken notice.
Sincerely,
The Razzies
Listen. If you all had the power to put your kids or family in projects, you would too. I am not saying it’s right or condoning it… but Overbrook should be called the “The Smith Family Productions”. They are producing content for Will and family. Selfish or business savvy? Whatever it is … we should all be harping on how non innovative most “re-imagining” projects are these days not on Overbrook specifically. The fact of the matter is the songs in Annie set to a hip hop beat via Jay Z will rake in dollars for the Smiths because kids will dig it because the melodies or so catchy. Ask a kid today what “annie” looks like and most won’t know. Wrong or right. Talent or no talent. It’s called Show Business not Show Integrity or Show Originality … sad but true
Will Smith has earned the right to do what he wants in this town and if that means making star vehicles for his kids – so be it. It’s his clout and he can cash that any way he chooses. And as for him not being fair to other African American would-be stars, just by making this new film – a number of them will now have a chance to fill out the cast. How many people can say they’ve given such opportunities to African American performers?
What are you talking about? BACKGROUND actors? How does that help them land their next film?
Yes, anyone who legally earns their money has a right to spend it however they please. It does not mean that spending it in a way that does not do much to be inclusive, or move us forward, is the right thing to do.
You’re all too funny…Will and Jada are just taking care of the family. Is anyone really surprised??
Meanwhile, Ryan doing Wicked would be great, no doubt reach a wide audience – what’s the bet that Lea Michele wants to play Elphaba real bad?? Just don’t cast Dianna Agron opposite her.
I so would love Lea Michelle as Elphaba. I was one of the fans who demanded Idina play her mom on Glee!
Whip My Hair is the worst song ever. Let’s just have Michael Bay remake Schindler’s List with Tara Reid, Rob Schneider, Katt Williams, Taylor Lautner, William Shatner can play Schindler and complete the cast with Tommy Wiseau and the “leave Britney alone” idiot.
I hear he cast Nathan Followill, and Kings of Leon will do the soundtrack.
OK, the whites and blacks are covered. Next up? Hispanics in ‘Mexicannie’ (aka ‘Nannie’ – still in turnaround). Then the Asians with ‘Charlie Channie.” Don’t forget the gays: ‘Mannie!,’ in which the son will come out tomorrow.
“Re-imagining”! The gift that keeps on giving.
I’m sorry, this is one of the most clever comments I’ve ever read on this board in the 2 years I’ve been on it.
I’m still thinking about that all white Roots starring Tom Cruise. Genius.
This will suck like all Ryan Murphy movies.
CREATIVE & ORIGINAL FILMMAKING
(1894 – 2011)
R.I.P.
This remake is unwanted and unwelcome. I would only pay for a ticket if I were allowed to throw garbage at the screen for the full runtime. The Disney remake was horrible, and this will be, too.
She can’t top Alicia Morton…And somebody should whip that girl’s hair back into shape. Looks like she’s been hanging out the car window with the dogs.
Daddy Warbucks was a war profiteer he made his fortune selling weapons to the government for war. If this is going to be updated properly then the new Warbucks has to be the CEO of Halliburton. A man who would wage a war just to make billions of dollars. Wait a minute that’s me!