'Annie' remake loses Willow Smith, Will Gluck to helm

Willow Smith has dropped out of Sony Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment's Annie remake after growing too old to play the lead role, according to a report.

The news coincides with word that Friends with Benefits director Will Gluck is in negotiations to helm the project for the studios.



Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna have been working on a screenplay for the film for several years, with rapper Jay-Z providing the musical score.

Gluck will revise the latest draft of the script before filming commences, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Willow's parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are producing the movie alongside Jay-Z, James Lassiter, Jay Brown and Tyran Smith.

Annie, billed as a modern day reimagining of the classic musical, is slated for release in 2014.

Watch Annie sing 'Tomorrow' in the 1982 version below: