'The Devil Wears Prada' Scribe Aline Brosh McKenna To Rewrite 'Annie' Remake

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by Ryan Gowland
July 27, 2012 1:20 PM
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Hey, remember a year ago when Will Smith wanted Emma Thompson to write him a remake of the musical "Annie" for his daughter Willow Smith to star in? Well, apparently, it's still happening, but now Smith wants another writer to work on Thompson's script.

THR reports that Columbia Pictures has brought screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna in to do rewrites on "Annie." McKenna, who adapted "The Devil Wears Prada" and "I Don't Know How She Does It," might be tasked to give the movie a little more humor and sass, as Thompson likely captured the appropriate whimsical family vibe for the script similar to the way she did for the "Nanny McPhee" movies. What likely won't change is that Annie will be an orphan who owns a dog and yearns for her unyielding spirit to be adopted by an appropriate family, as that hasn't changed since the character got its start in Harold Gray's comic strip "Little Orphan Annie."

There's still no director attached to the "Annie" remake. "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy was sought prior to Thompson's hiring, but talks broke off for whatever reason. Big Willie is producing the remake, much like the 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid," which starred his son Jaden Smith, and we're betting that whoever ends up directing "Annie" will be personally chosen by the Fresh Prince himself. Jay-Z, who is also producing the movie, will be providing the film's music, so expect a 12" remix of "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)."