Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz get the unenviable task of updating the classic musical.It’s a hard knock life — for die-hard Annie fans.
The first trailer for Columbia’s modern-day update of the classic
musical debuted Wednesday, offering a preview of what theatergoers can
expect come Christmastime.
Like the classic 1977 musical, Annie centers on 11-year-old little
orphan Annie (Beasts of the Southern Wild’s Quvenzhane Wallis), who has a
chance encounter with wealthy businessman Benjamin Stacks (Jamie Foxx),
an update on the Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks character. Turns out Benjamin,
who’s running for mayor, needs a feel-good story to boost his stock;
that’s where Annie
comes in. Meanwhile, Cameron Diaz takes on the
mean-spirited orphanage owner Miss Hannigan.
And how do they update the story for 2014? By dropping in obligatory
references to George Clooney (Miss Hannigan) and Facebook (Miss
Hannigan, again).
Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends With Benefits, TV’s The Michael J. Fox
Show) directed the feature, which is produced by Jay Z and Will Smith.
Rose Byrne andBobby Canavale co-star. As for the songs, Jay Z has
popified and autotuned “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow,” so
expect more of that when Annie hits theaters Dec. 19.
