S. Samuel
Hollywood actress Jada Pinkett-Smith recently opened up about her admiration toward rap mogul Jay-Z and confirmed speculation that there are plans to work with Hov on an upcoming Annie remake.
Speaking with radio personality DJ Wonder, Smith said her daughter Willow Smith will indeed be featured in the Hollywood classic.
“He’s very professional, he’s a good partner, and we are about to do a movie with him, the ‘Annie’ joint with Willow [Smith], so he’s a good partner…You know, we just have great teams and we have great partnership. It’s all about partnering. And that’s the thing that I’ve learned about being in this business. You can’t expect to do great things by yourself that you have to be able to partner up with people.” (“Great American Morning Show”)
In January, Jay-Z officially teamed up with Will Smith and Jada for a joint venture.
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and their partners at Overbrook Entertainment have formed a joint-venture with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. The partnership between Will and Jada and Jay-Z began when the three decided to invest in the beauty line Carol’s Daughter. Their next venture together was when they joined forces again to co-produce the Broadway play “Fela!” Since then, Willow Smith, who is managed by Overbrook’s Miguel Melendez, has signed to Roc Nation and released first single “Whip My Hair.” (Billboard)
Following the announcement, reports claimed their first focus was on creating an Annie remake.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are planning to produce a remake of the 1982 film “Annie” starring the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, Willow. The film, which is based on a Broadway musical, tells the story of an orphan adopted by a wealthy man. Overbrook Entertainment, the Smiths’ company, announced today that it had formed a joint venture with rapper Jay-Z to develop and produce “Annie” and potentially other feature films. Jay-Z will serve as a producer on “Annie.” (Wall Street Journal)
Last fall, Jay-Z confirmed speculation of Willow Smith joining his Roc Nation roster.
“First off, I heard the [‘Whip My Hair’] record first, before I knew that it was recorded by a nine year-old,” Jay said in an interview with radio host Ryan Seacrest. “I was like, ‘Man, that record is a smash.’ — I went to Japan to do some stuff and they were out there and I met Willow and she walked in and the first thing she said was, ‘I’m really nervous,’ and I thought that maturity, explaining exactly how she was feeling as she was walking in the room, I knew right there she was a star. I believe in super stars and I believe in big records on super stars…Yes, [I signed her and we plan on helping her] facilitate all her ideas. As you’re going to learn today, if you sit with her for a half hour, you’ll see, she’s just a wealth of information and ideas…She’s a child, she has child innocence but she has a refreshing clear vision of what she wants to be…And I imagine that’s how Mike [Jackson] was as a kid.” (“On Air with Ryan Seacrest”)
Check out Jada Pinkett-Smith’s interview down below:
