Quvenzhane Wallis confirmed for title role in Jay-Z’s version of Annie

Quvenzhane Wallis, the youngest Oscar nominee, has been confirmed for the title role in the new Annie film.

Quvenzhane Wallis, 9, will star in the remake, which is being executive produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Originally Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s daughter, 12-year-old Willow, was due to play the lead character.

Willow Smith stood down from the role saying that she wanted to concentrate on enjoying her childhood.

Annie is due to be released in late 2014 and is based on the stage play about an orphan girl trying to find her family.

The original musical was released as a film in 1982 and featured the song Tomorrow.

This new version will be set in modern day New York with a selection of new songs added and some old ones removed.

Actress and writer Emma Thompson has been working on the screenplay.

Speaking to Newsbeat last year, Emma Thompson confirmed that Tomorrow would be included in the updated film.

Quvenzhane Wallis, the youngest Oscar nominee, has been confirmed for the title role in the new Annie film

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