Quvenzhane Wallis reportedly attached to star in 'Counting by 7s' adaptation
Quvenzhane Wallis' starring turn in Sony's "Annie" remake is still months from its planned Christmas 2014 arrival, but she's already -- and fittingly -- looking toward tomorrow. The Oscar-nominated Houma native and "Beasts of the Southern Wild" actress has signed on to star in a feature-film adaptation of Holly Goldberg Sloan's best-selling middle-grade novel "Counting by 7s," according to Deadline.
The 11-year-old Wallis will play a 12-year-old genius named Willow Chase who has trouble connecting with anyone but her adoptive parents. When they die in a car crash, she is left in the care of "an unlikely surrogate family and an unfit guidance counselor." But rather than give up, Willow pushes through her grief and builds her own community of support around her.
"I am honored to play the role of Willow in 'Counting by 7s,'" Wallis told Deadline. "I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life."
Wallis is a busy girl. In addition to "Counting by 7s" and "Annie," she is also set to appear in director Gabriele Mucchino's drama "Fathers and Daughters" -- starring alongside the likes of Russell Crowe, Jane Fonda, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer -- and to voice a role in an animated adaptation of Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet."
"Counting by 7s" is being produced by Mazur/Kaplan and Olympus Pictures. It's unclear when production will begin or when it is expected to land in theaters.
nola