Quvenzhane Wallis will follow-up her Oscar nominated role in Beasts of the Southern Wild by taking on the lead role in the remake of the classic musical Annie, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced yesterday morning (Feb 24).

The young actress wowed audiences with her award-worthy performance as Hushpuppy in the Benh Zeitlin fantasy drama, and now the actress is reaping the benefits of her mature performance by signing up to her second post-BotSW role. Wallis will also star alongside Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender in the upcoming Twelve Years a Slave, which follows the story of a New York man kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South in the early 1800's.

Will Gluck, who directed Friends With Benefits, is already attached to directed the remake, which is being financed by Will Smith, Jay Z, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Lassiter and Tyran Smith. Will and Jada's daughter Willow Smith was initially rumoured to be taking on the lead role, but it seems the appeal of having an Oscar nominee star in the film was too much for Will, who will be appearing alongside his son Jaden in the upcoming After Earth.

Hannah Minghella from Sony said in the statement from Sony: "She is an extraordinary young talent with an amazing range, not only as an actress but as a singer and dancer. We can't wait for audiences to further discover her," Variety have quoted.

Watch the trailer for Beast of the Southern Wild below.