When it was announced back in 2011 that Will Smith and Jay-Z might be collaborating on a remake of Annie with Smith’s daughter Willow in the lead role, it was one of those crazy WTF headlines that seemed too bizarre to be true. However, Smith had already boosted his son Jaden’s acting career with a remake of the ’80s classic The Karate Kid, and Jay-Z was known to be a big fan of the Annie song “It’s the Hard Knock Life.” Now two years later we have learned that the proposed remake of Annie is indeed still in the works and a director has been named. Surprisingly, the lead role is now up for grabs; Willow Smith has apparently outgrown the part and will no longer be involved.

According to Deadline, Sony Pictures has hired Will Gluck to direct the new take on Annie, which will be produced through Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment banner. Gluck is best known for the comedies Easy A and Friends with Benefits, both of which were Sony Screen Gems productions. He will also touch up the script that was originally written by Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee) and rewritten by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses).

While the article states that this version of Annie will be “contemporized”, it’s not yet clear whether the music will be faithful to Charles Strouse’s work on the original Broadway musical. Jay-Z’s involvement would seem to indicate a possible reworking of the music with a hip-hop influence. Either way, I’m hoping that Dr. Evil and Mini-Me can make cameo appearances. What do you think, is this a terrible idea or is it more palatable now that Willow Smith is out?