HOLLYWOOD—There were some big news ramblings in the movie industry this week.  First up is the news that the youngest Best Actress Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis from “Beasts of the Southern Wild” has been tapped for the lead role in the remake of the movie musical “Annie.”

Some may recall that Will Smith’s daughter Willow Smith was slated to star in the remake, but I think this is great casting.  Who better to play Annie orphan than a nine-year-old who has garnered an Oscar nomination?  The movie is slated to arrive in theaters Christmas 2014 and is being produced by Will Smith and rapper Jay-Z.
In other casting news, it was just a matter of time before Spiderman’s ultimate foe Norman Osborn appeared in the latest flick.  The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Oscar-winner Chris Cooper has signed on to play Peter Parker’s notorious foe, known to many as The Green Goblin.

“The Amazing Spiderman 2” recently began filming a few weeks ago and with all the star power in this flick; it’s shaping up to be a sequel to die for.  With Jamie Foxx portraying Electro, Paul Giamatti stepping into the shoes of The Rhino, Spiderman will have his hands full with villains.

That doesn’t include the introduction of Mary Jane Watson (Shailene Woodley) and Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) in addition to Emma Stone returning as Gwen Stacy.  Of course, Andrew Garfield will resume his duties as everyone’s favorite web slinger.  The picture is expected to hit theaters May 2, 2014.

By LaDale Anderson