Will Smith and Jay-Z are in negotiations to hire Emma Thompson to write the script for their upcoming ‘Annie’ remake, Vulture is reporting. The movie, which will feature Smith’s daughter Willow, will be released by Columbia Pictures.

The Academy Award-winning screenwriter and actress was recommended to pen the script, as she is currently co-starring with Smith in the upcoming second sequel to the hit 1997 sci-fi movie ‘Men in Black.’ If Thompson is hired, ‘Annie’ will be the first project between Smith, Jay-Z and Columbia. There’s no word yet if Thompson will appear in the movie.

‘Annie’ will be based on the famous comic strip and radio show, ‘Little Orphan Annie,’ the 1977 Broadway musical and the 1982 movie. Columbia released the original movie, which was directed by John Huston and starred Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry.

Written by: Karen Benardello