Jamie Foxx to play Daddy Warbucks in Annie remake?

Jamie Foxx is in line for a starring role in the forthcoming remake of 'Annie', according to reports.

Foxx would take on the role of Benjamin Stacks – a reference to the US $100 bill – in the film, an updated version of the character Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks, played by Albert Finney in the 1982 original.

[Related story: Willow Smith quit Annie remake to be 'normal']

It's thought that the 'Django Unchained' star has been made an offer for the role, and now negotiations are taking place.

Star of 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' Quvenzhané Wallis is already signed up to play the orphaned girl from the original Harold Gray comic strip.

Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment is behind the film, with additional production from Jay-Z, who is also likely to be sorting out the music.

Smith's daughter Willow was originally in the frame for the starring role of the orphaned Annie, but pulled out, according to her dad, to be a 'normal teenager'.

A first draft of the script has been penned by British actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna, who penned the remake of 'Fame', 'The Devil Wears Prada' and 'We Bought A Zoo'.

Will Gluck, who directed 'Easy A' and 'Friends With Benefits' will helm the project.

Sony, the studio behind the film, will begin production towards the end of the year for a 2014 release.