Will Gluck Lands 'Annie' Directing Job

11:22 AM PST 1/30/2013 by Borys Kit

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The Easy A director has been chosen to helm the adaptation of the hit musical, which is being produced by Will Smith, James Lassiter and Jay-Z.

The sun will come out tomorrow for Will Gluck.

Aline Brosh McKenna to Rewrite 'Annie' Remake

The Easy A and Friends with Benefits filmmaker has won the job to direct Sony’s adaptation of Annie.

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Annie, while in essence based on the classic comic strip Little Orphan Annie, is a translation of the Broadway musical that first opened in 1977. The project is being produced by Will Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment banner partner James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett-Smith as well as hip-hop artist Jay-Z. Also prodiucing are Jay Brown, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith through Marcy Media.

Willow Smith, who was originally slated to star in the film, is not attached.

Gluck’s ascension to the top of the list caps an active hunt for a helmer that has gone on for months, with names such as Ryan Murphy and Craig Brewer coming and going.

The story, set in modern day, follows an orphan girl who is taken in by wealthy entrepreneur Daddy Warbucks as a way to rehabilitate his image. She eventually wins over his heart.

The musical, which was turned into a 1982 movie, is known for songs such as It’s a Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow.

Gluck will revise a script previously written by Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna. Sony is eyeing a late fall production start for an anticipated release in 2014.

Gluck wrote and directed Friends with Benefits, which starred Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. He directed Emma Stone in her breakthrough role in Easy A, a modern-set high school retelling of The Scarlett Letter. He is repped by UTA and Sloane Offer.

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