Both Rolling Stone magazine and Deadline.com report representatives from Sony Pictures are courting “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy to direct the upcoming Annie remake, which will star Willow Smith. Last month, Jay-Z confirmed his partnership with James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith at Overbrook Entertainment.
In addition to creating Fox’s hit series “Glee,” Murphy directed the 2010 feature film Eat, Pray, Love. Murphy reportedly signed a $5 million deal to direct another film for Sony starring Julia Roberts. Apparently studio executives are sold on the combination of Murphy’s current popularity, Willow’s marketability and Jay-Z and Will Smith’s track record.
“Murphy’s ‘Glee’ success has turned him into a go-to guy on studio musicals, as he’s been courted by Fox for a Rocky Horror Picture Show remake, as well as to possibly turn the Broadway stage hit Wicked into a film at Universal,” writes Mike Fleming of Deadline.com.
