Sony have confirmed Cameron Diaz will be starring in Will Smith and Jay Z's musical re-envisioning of the hit Broadway musical Annie. Diaz has landed the role of Miss Hannigan, the cruel manager of the orphanage Annie initially lives in. Sandra Bullock was previously linked to the role and was involved in talks with Annie producers. However, it has been confirmed Diaz has the part.

Annie, initially a comic strip, was turned into a musical, opened on Broadway in 1977. The musical was turned into a film just five years later (1982). Carol Burnett played Miss Hannigan in this version, although her performance was slated by critics (as was the film in general which is still considered one of the worst in film history).  

Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz at the 2013 Met Gala, New York

Will Smith announced he was planning to produce, with Jay Z, a new version of Annie in 2010. At the time his daughter, Willow Smith, was intended for the title role but she has since outgrown it. 

The Bad Teacher actress is most famous for her comic roles. She has sung before, featuring in sketches on Saturday Night Live, and joined in Rupert Everett's rendition of 'I Say A Little Prayer' as well as performing, deliberately poorly, 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' in My Best Friend's Wedding.

In the role of Miss Hannigan, Diaz will star alongside 9-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis (Annie) and Jamie Foxx (Benjamin Stacks, a modern-day Daddy Warbucks). Friends with Benefits producer Will Gluck is lined up to direct. The screenplay has already been written by actress Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee) and writer Aline Brosh McKenna (We Bought A Zoo). 

Annie will be released Christmas 2014. 

Quvenzhane Wallis
Quvenzhane Wallis is to star in the title role of the upcoming Annie film. 

Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx will play Benjamin Stacks in Annie.