Rose Byrne In Talks For ‘Annie’ Reboot

The Annie reboot is lining up an impressive list of actors. Actress Rose Byrne is currently in talks to star in the film, as Daddy Warbucks’ assistant.

Daddy Warbucks is already cast as Jamie Foxx. If talks go through, Rose Byrne joins Cameron Diaz, and Quvenzhané Wallis as little Orphan Annie. It is reported that Diaz is to play the mean Miss Hannigan.

Of Annie star Wallis, Hannah Minghella of Columbia Pictures said:

“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.”

Wallis is one of the youngest actresses to be nominated for an Academy Award. Last year it was for her film debut of The Weinstein Company’s Beasts of A Southern Wild.

Originally it was Willow Smith who was supposed to star in the remake of Annie, but she aged out of the role, and it was said that Willow agreed it was best if she remain a kid for a while longer. Also lined up was Sandra Bullock for the role of Ms. Hannigan, but the actress dropped out of negotiations.

Director Will Gluck (Friends With Benefits, Easy A,) will direct the film in the fall. Annie will be under Will Smith’s Overbrook banner with producing partner James Lassiter. Jay-Z is also joining Overbrook as a producer, and will also oversee the music development.

The script for the reboot is written by actress-screenwriter Emma Thompson and rewrote by Gluck for a more cohesive vision.

Jay-Z’s involvement in the film isn’t too surprising. In 1996 Jay-Z broke into the mainstream with his hit song Hard Knock Life. The song, which mixed elements of the theatrical version of Annie and hip hop. The single, which was named after Jay’z third album catapulted him into the star that he is today.

Are you excited about Rose Byrne’s inclusion in Annie?