Quvenzhané Wallis - Quvenzhané Wallis wanted for Annie

Quvenzhané Wallis wanted for Annie

Quvenzhané Wallis is being considered for the lead role in 'Annie'.

Sony is eyeing the nine-year-old 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' star - who is the youngest ever actress to earn a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards - to star in its remake of the musical, helmed by 'Easy A' director Will Gluck and produced by Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Despite Quvenzhané being tipped for the role, a studio representative stresses that no casting decisions have yet been made.

The remake of the classic musical about a young orphan was first announced in 2010 as a collaborative project between Will and rapper Jay-Z - who will also produce through his Marcy Media banner - with the 'Men in Black 3' actor's daughter Willow Smith, who is signed to Jay-Z's record label, set to star.

The now 12-year-old 'Whip My Hair' singer officially departed the film last month after ageing out of the role.

Her father said: ''Willow was supposed to be doing 'Annie', 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. I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.' ''

The film's script was written by 'Nanny McPhee' scribe Emma Thompson, while Jay-Z is set to compose the score.