When you think of Cameron Diaz and Bobby Cannavale? What comes to mind? Fine actors who have been in some pretty big movies and television dramas. You do not think singing and dancing. In the 2014 Will Gluck directed Annie, Cameron Diaz plays the mean foster mom Miss Hannigan while Bobby Cannavale plays the campaign manager to hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx.)
During the interview with the stars of Annie, I was schooled on how they came to be singing and dancing in this Holiday’s remake of the iconic Annie. For Ms. Cameron Diaz she was happy to take on the role of the hated Miss Hannigan, the woman who treats Annie and her foster sisters like dirt and is only taking care of them for the money. Yes, she knew she was taking on an iconic role but was happy to bring her up to date in such a fun and contemporary way.
Ms. Cameron reminded us that she in fact has danced in previous movies. Remember Charlie’s Angels? This Miss Hannigan has a back story in that she is a failed pop star. For parents of the 90’s, you will get a kick out of the musical pop references. Because she thinks she should be famous and rich, Miss Hannigan thinks the kids are holding her back. And Cameron loved playing the over the top villain with her outlandish clothes crediting costume designer Renee Ehrlich with dressing her failed pop star.
Emmy-winning actor, Bobby Cannavale, handsome as he is, plays the creepy, I will do anything to help cell phone billionaire Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx.) become the mayor. Cannavale enjoyed playing the role of the scheming campaign advisor noting that his character would “do anything to make Will Stacks seem more human and connect with voters.” It’s his idea to take in Annie until they won’t need her anymore. And it wasn’t difficult for him to playing the political operative because “I could draw on lot of real life people.”
Cannavale admitted during the interview that No, he can not dance nor sing very well. That said, he can only dance with Ms. Diaz, to that music and only those steps in the movie. Method actor, right!
This Broadway classic which has delighted audiences for generations arrives on the big screen on December 19 with a new, contemporary vision. Definitely take the kids to see Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) star as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014 and check out Cameron Diaz and Bobby Cannavale’s big dance number.
Annie Trailer
Annie opens nationwide December 19, 2014.
Official Site: www.Annie-Movie.com and Stay Connected Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom attended a screening of Annie and press event.
