Jay-Z and Will Smith present 'Annie.' Is this movie-musical update a good idea?
Willow Smith, soon to be a musical orphan.(AP)
Remember "Annie," the delightful musical about a spunky orphan that inspired the curriculum choices for thousands of elementary school music teachers?
Well, it's coming to the big screen for a second time, with Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jay-Z behind the project.
As the Associated Press and others outlets have reported, Jay-Z has hooked up with the Smiths' production company to work on developing multiple motion picture projects, with a contemporary version of "Annie" apparently at the top of the list. Naturally, the front-runner for playing Annie is none other than Willow Smith.
Which means the signature song from the movie version of the Broadway musical -- previously made into a film back in 1982 -- could sound like this: "The sun will come out ... tomorrow ... when I whip my hair back and forth."
Clearly Jay-Z's version of "Hard Knock Life" has to be part of the new "Annie." And hopefully they can work in a fresh take on an old Smith classic: "Parents Just Don't Understand ... or at Least We Assume They Don't Understand, But Honestly We're Not Sure Since All of Us are Orphans."
But seriously, folks ... is this a good idea? Could Jay-Z and Will Smith bring some fresh energy to a beloved, heartwarming tale? Or is this just another excuse to pump up Willow Smith's profile? Post a comment or vote in the poll below.
By
Jen Chaney
| January 27, 2011; 12:04 PM ET
Categories:
Celebrities, Movies, Pop Culture
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Posted by: sjcpeach | January 27, 2011 12:12 PM | Report abuse
What is Willow Smith carrying in the creepy, strap-on shoulder bag? A spare Thetan, in case hers gets co-opted?
Posted by: sasquatchbigfoot | January 27, 2011 12:51 PM | Report abuse
I can see a remake working. But honestly, if they really want it to work, they need to find the perfect Annie. Otherwise, it just looks like a Smith family vanity project.
Posted by: epjd | January 27, 2011 2:04 PM | Report abuse
She looks just like her father! It seems the formula worked well on Karate Kid. Smith kid + remake of 80s classic family film = $$$
Posted by: kvs71 | January 27, 2011 3:06 PM | Report abuse
Eh, why not? It's not as if the original movie is a classic. In fact, it kinda sucked.
Posted by: onlytheshadowknows1 | January 27, 2011 3:37 PM | Report abuse
@onlytheshadowknows - I will admit, I loved the 1982 version as a then-4-yr-old little redheaded girl.
But! I've been watching it with my nephew about once a day (before, we were watching my sister's favorite, "Home Alone," and I thought "Annie" would be a nice change), and if we had a remote for our DVD player, I would probably skip to "Never Fully Dressed," "Tomorrow," "Easy Street" and the ending. The whole introduction of the dog is just ridiculous.
I still don't want a Smith remake, though.
Posted by: Aloe9678 | January 27, 2011 4:31 PM | Report abuse
I'd be in favor of a remake if it starred Zahara Jolie-Pitt. She's a real life Annie.
Posted by: changling | January 27, 2011 4:45 PM | Report abuse
Awww. The Smiths are just trying to do for their daughter what the Cyruses did for Miley.
Posted by: mat00 | January 28, 2011 11:44 AM | Report abuse
There's a "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"?
Posted by: DCCubefarm | January 28, 2011 1:56 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm currious if it will be a straight re-make with the same songs or more like what "The Wiz" is to "The Wizard of Oz".
Either way I don't hate the idea of a remake on this one.