Will Smith, Jay-Z Team Up To Release Films

According to “The Hollywood Reporter,” Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment is joining forces with Jay-Z to release movies.  Jay-Z says the partnership is a great business move for both sides, stating, quote, “This venture into film development and production is a perfect next step with teams that are accomplished, creative, and innovative.”  The first project for Jay and the former “Fresh Prince” will be a remake of the Broadway classic “Annie,” which will feature Smith’s daughter Willow in the lead role.  The project is a rather familiar one for Jay-Z, as he sampled the production’s song “It’s a Hard Knock Life” for his hit “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem).”  The rapper also recently signed Willow to his Roc Nation label. 

This isn’t the first time that Jay-Z and Will Smith have worked together on a project.  They were both co-producers of the Broadway play “Fela!,” which earned eleven Tony Award nominations last year.