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Will Smith, Jay Z discuss their remake of 'Annie'

"Anytime you revisit a timeless story, that's where you always wanna be able to add something different," the actor related.

By Annie Martin
Will Smith and Jay Z wanted to bring a new energy to their remake of 'Annie.' UPI/John Angelillo, Rich Kane
1 of 6 | Will Smith and Jay Z wanted to bring a new energy to their remake of 'Annie.' UPI/John Angelillo, Rich Kane | License Photo

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Will Smith and Jay Z wanted to bring a new energy to their remake of Annie.

The 46-year-old actor and 45-year-old rapper discussed the film at the movie's premiere earlier this month. Smith and Jay Z co-produced the project, with musical contributions from Jay Z and Australian musician Sia.

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"Anytime you revisit a timeless story, that's where you always wanna be able to add something different," Smith related. "Jay and Sia did a really brilliant job of creating that new sound, that new vibe and energy."

"It feels like New York City," Jay Z added of the feature. "It feels like magic, anything can happen. There's a consistent theme there. That story of hope."

Annie is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which itself is inspired by the Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie. The musical was previously adapted for film in 1982, and for a television movie in 1999.

Will Gluck directed the film, with Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie, Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks, Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan and Rose Byrne as Stacks' assistant Grace Farrell. Mila Kunis and fiancé Ashton Kutcher will cameo.

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Annie opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 19. Smith last appeared as the Judge in Akiva Goldsman's adaptation of Winter Tale, and is scheduled to star with Margot Robbie in Focus and as Deadshot in DC Comics film Suicide Squad.

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