Will Smith Confirms Daughter Willow to Star in ANNIE Film

Will Smith, star of the film MEN IN BLACK 3, was a guest on this morning's GOOD MORNING AMERICA. In an interview with Robin Roberts, the actor chatted about his daughter Willow's starring role in an upcoming modern film version of the Broadway musical ANNIE. 

While discussing how busy his family is, with wife Jada working on a new TV show, daughter Willow working on her music and son Jaden focusing on a movie career, Roberts asked, "You bring up also Willow and I thought I heard, 'Annie', the remake of 'Annie' with Emma Thompson, who's in the film [Men in Black 3]."

"Yep, absolutely," confirmEd Smith. "It's all in the family, you know, our global family. Emma Thompson wrote the script for 'Annie', so she is fantastic." 

Last year it was reported that Willow Smith would star in a remake of 'Annie' to be developed by Sony Pictures and produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Production Company, Overbrook Entertainment.  In January of 2011, Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad said in a statement, "The time is right to bring back 'Annie' to the big screen. Of course, we're true believers in Willow's talent and believe she will be perfect in this role."

"Annie" debuted on Broadway in 1977 starring Andrea McArdle in the title role. The musical hit the big screen in 1982 with the "Annie" film starring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Aileen Quinn in the title role. In 1999, Disney produced a made-for-television movie of the stage musical starring Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth and Alicia Morton as Annie. The musical will return to Broadway's Palace Theater with Lilla Crawford in the starring role. Opening night is set for November 8.