Willow Smith is out of the ANNIE remake

[ljay889]

Yay!

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Will-Gluck-to-Helm-ANNIE-Remake-Willow-Smith-No-Longer-Attached-20130130

[everythingtaboo]

Good news and even better news!

[suestorm]

there IS a god!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Great news all around! I imagine they're heavily pursuing Oscar nominee Quevenzhane Wallis (if they're not, then they need to, dub her if she can't sing, not sure how vocally demanding a role this will be given that this is an updated version), unless they want an unknown for the role like the Broadway revival. It's hard to think of anyone who'd be more appropriate for the part.
Gluck is such a great choice for this project! Now that Willow is out and he is in I can be excited. Are they using an all-black cast or will it be a racially mixed ensemble? Either way, Queen Latifah would make for a hilarious Hannigan even if she played a Warden in CHICAGO already. Octavia Spencer would also be perfect.

[Mister Matt]

Either way, Queen Latifah would make for a hilarious Hannigan even if she played a Warden in CHICAGO already.

I like Queen Latifah, but I've never found her hilarious in anything. Tichina Arnold would be my first choice, quickly followed by Chandra Wilson. Or perhaps Alfre Woodard.

[suestorm]

Queen Latifah, ugh, i agree never found her funny at all, now Wanda Sykes is HILARIOUS!

[ljay889]

Tichina Arnold is amazing, but I think she'd be considered too b-list for a major remake of ANNIE.

[madbrian]

If she could sing it, I'd love to see Aisha Tyler as Hannigan.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I think Queen Latifah understands subtlety, she wouldn't be outrageous, but I think she'd be really funny in the role. I do prefer the idea of Octavia Spencer. I love Sykes too but can't see her being seriously considered for this, then again, Gluck is not Rob Marshall so he might be more open to cast someone who's less of a name. I figure Latifah, Spencer and Taraji P. Henson (who'd be fantastic either as Hannigan or as Lily, depending on how old they want the roles to be) will all be in the running. Woodard is incredible but she has played this type of role before and doesn't need to be involved, her performance in STEEL MAGNOLIAS was very predictable. Hoping they are not courting Jennifer Hudson for Grace, saw her on the SMASH premiere and her acting has only gotten more wooden and artificial than it already was over the years.

[JP2]

Wouldn't Jay want his wife to play Grace?

I think Gluck is pretty great. If he had the chance to cast an actor he's previously worked with, I'd love to see Timberlake as Rooster.

[tazber]

Aisha Tyler is probably too young for Hanniagan, but she would be great.

Yuuuuup.

[Jordan Catalano]

I'd rather see Jiminy Glick in drag than Latifah try to be funny as Hannigan.

[Mister Matt]

Gluck has a good eye for spotting talent among b, c and d-listers, so I doubt that is his chief concern.

Sykes plays Sykes perfectly and is funny just being herself, but I can't see her really delivering a broad comical character like Hannigan. Latifah is extremely likable, but she just doesn't have the comedic spark. When Hannigan gets too flat or subtle, you end up with a major misfire like Kathy Bates.

[rosscoe(au)]

Thank Fark, the smiths just need to go away

[ljay889]

Oh, Beyonce is definitely going to be Grace.

[Wynbish]

Octavia Spencer for Hannigan?

[Johnnycantdecide]

HAS to be Octavia Spencer as Hannigan.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Yeah, the more I think about it, Spencer has got to be the one. But like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if Taraji was part of the conversation. I guess Beyonce can play Grace, not sure who'd be more wooden, her or Jennifer Hudson. Speaking of DREAMGIRLS cast members, Anika Noni Rose truly would be perfectly cast as Grace or Lily.

[Jungle Red]

Only if James Earl Johns plays Daddy!

[Wynbish]

Don Cheadle has a great voice and would be a fun Rooster. Or Jamie Foxx.

[Jordan Catalano]

Big Daddy Warbucks

[little_sally]

Jamie Foxx would be a great Rooster.

[Visceral_Fella]

I'd LOVE Tichina Arnold as Hannigan. I wish she did more musical work.

[Jordan Catalano]

Can Octavia Spencer sing?

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Jordan, judge for yourself...
Octavia singing

[Kad]

Morgan Freeman as FDR