Jamie Foxx is reportedly in talks to star in Sony’s Annie remake, which is being produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported on Monday that Foxx has just received an offer from the studio and that he is negotiating terms to take the role. Sources for E! News also confirmed the story on Tuesday.
The Django Unchained actor is set to play Benjamin Stacks, the remake’s version of Daddy Warbucks, the character who takes in little orphan Annie, who will be played by Quvenzhane Wallis. This will be the 9-year-old’s first role since becoming the youngest ever Best Actress Oscar nominee for Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Annie got moving again in January, when Easy A’s Will Gluck was hired to direct. The producers include Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment with James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jay-Z. Co-producers include Jay Brown and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith of Marcy Media. The script was originally written by Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna, with revisions by Gluck.
The studio hopes to get production moving this fall, after Foxx wraps up on The amazing Spider-Man 2, another Sony release. He also stars in Sony’s White House Down, which hits theaters on June 28.