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Quvenzhane Wallis, 'Annie': Actress Replaces Willow Smith for Coveted Role

Quvenzhané Wallis replaces Willow Smith in Annie movieGetty Images

After Willow Smith decided to walk away from the "hard-knocked life" role of Annie in the upcoming hip-hop remake of the film, which her parents and Jay-Z are producing, she's already been replaced by another on-the-rise actress.

With Willow out, "Beasts of the Southern Wild" star Quvenzhané Wallis has been confirmed to play the coveted role. The 9-year-old was nominated for an Oscar last night in the Best Actress category, but lost to Jennifer Lawrence.

Despite the loss, Wallis for sure has a bright future ahead.

"Quvenzhané Wallis is a true star and we believe her portrayal as Annie will make her a true worldwide star," Hannah Minghella, president of production at Columbia Pictures, said in a statement. "She is an extraordinary young talent with an amazing range, not only as an actress but as a singer and dancer, and we can't wait for audiences to further discover her."

As for why 12-year-old Willow turned down the rule, dad Will Smith previously explained that she just wanted time to be a tween.

"We got Jay-Z to do the movie, got the studio to come in and Willow had such a difficult time on tour with 'Whip my Hair' and she said, 'You know Daddy, I don't think so,'" Will recalled recently. "I said, 'Baby, hold up! I said no, no, no, listen, you'll be in New York with all of your friends and Beyonce will be there. You will be singing and dancing,' and she looked at me and said, 'Daddy, I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.'"

The film is slated for a 2014 release.

See Willow in Our "Most Stylish Music Offspring" Gallery


Get the Scoop on Willow's Tongue "Piercing" on AOL Music #Trending


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sheisgay

I forsee Willow being gay in the near future....She is very boyish!

April 23 2013 at 2:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EmmaAnne

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March 01 2013 at 11:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Phineas

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February 27 2013 at 6:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wacolub

congrats little Miss Q. there will be other nominations and eventually there will be a win.
So happy that blacks have BET and some other ways for blacks to win awards. The Oscars
are mostly for those other people. Keep on keeping on sweetie.

February 26 2013 at 10:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aripalda

great choice. I'm glad Willow turned it down.

February 26 2013 at 9:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lisa

This kid is amazing. She is so poised and mature for her age. However, Annie has and will always be a white girl w/ red hair. I guess this is like the black version of Steel Magnolias on lifetime. I have one word for that "Stupid"

February 26 2013 at 8:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Lisa's comment
jdpistol

If you're interested in realism, then I would remind you that (1) Annie had no pupils in her eyes and (2) she was a two-dimensional character drawn in a comic strip.

Now, where are you going to find a white girl, with red hair, no pupils and is ink on newsprint?

February 26 2013 at 9:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sarah

just because that's the way it started.....doesn't mean it can't change...after all look at history period!

February 26 2013 at 9:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lopjackie21

She's cuter than Willow anyway...~
Willow looks too much like her dopey-looking dad~

February 26 2013 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CAMERON

Wonderful. Best to the new Annie. Quvenhane.

February 26 2013 at 7:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
buysmartglobal

this kid is really obnoxious, but she is much prettier than willow smith.

February 26 2013 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to buysmartglobal's comment
Vicki

i totally agree with u! i've seen her on a couple talk shows and she's a real brat!

February 26 2013 at 8:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Annika

Who is she and how do you pronounce her name?

February 26 2013 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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