Jay-Z has confirmed he’s teaming up with Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith to re-imagine the ‘Annie’ musical for the big screen. The trio, who teamed up last year to bring hit musical ‘Fela!’ to the Broadway stage, will be working together on a new version of ‘Annie’, starring the Smiths’ daughter Willow, who Jay-Z signed to his Roc Nation label in 2010.
The three superstars will co-produce the film. According to reports, the partnership began over dinner with the Smiths, Overbrook Entertainment executive James Lassiter and the rap mogul, where the quartet decided to co-invest in the now successful beauty products line Carol’s Daughter. They continued the partnership as co-producers of ‘Fela!’ Jay-Z has a little history with ‘Annie’ – he sampled the musical’s ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’ in his hit ‘Hard Knock Life’.
Confirming the news, Jay-Z says, “The Overbrook Entertainment family and I have a unified vision. We’ve already produced a Tony Award-winning play and we’re developing a true superstar in Willow. This venture into film development and production is a perfect next step with teams that are accomplished, creative, and innovative.”
