Another Lead Role for Quvenzhané Wallis
Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 5:00PM 
Margaret here to talk about what's new with everyone's favorite collector of puppy purses: Quvenzhané Wallis is on a roll. Her breakout performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild could have easily put her in the pantheon of one-hit wonder child actors, but the way she's been lining up projects makes that look unlikely. Now 11 years old, Little Q is two months out from the release of her first big studio film in the musical Annie which, with the Columbia promotional muscle behind it, might make her a real star. She has also just signed on to star in an adaptation of best-selling middle grade novel "Counting by 7s."
In the Holly Goldberg Sloan story, Quvenzhané will play a 12-year-old genius named Willow Chase who loses her adoptive parents in a car crash and has to push past her grief to find a new community of support. Said Quvenzhané to Deadline:
I am honored to play the role of Willow in 'Counting by 7s'. I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life."
Other upcoming projects for the busy young Oscar-nominee include voice work in an adaptation of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, and Fathers and Daughters, where she will star alongside Jane Fonda, Octavia Spencer, and Russell Crowe.
Even if none of these particular jobs ends up being earth-shattering, this steady work is heartening for those of us rooting for her to grow into a full-fledged acting career. At the very least we're in for some incredibly charming press tours. Is it foolish to hope that there's another Hushpuppy-level performance in her future?
Who'da man?
Reader Comments (12)
I am always torn about her BOTSW performance,is she great in it or well coached,i have Chastain in 5th place for 2012 alongside Riva,Winstead,Lawrence and Cotillard.
Good for her. Always nice to see young audiences get films aimed at them that actually have stuff to say.
Well, most great performances are somehow well-coached, either by the director, the fellow actors, a confidant or an actual acting...um, coach. The question in this case is if Q's natural talent was only a fluke.
The Oscars are a joke but the fact that this girl was nominated
wasn't even funny.
She shouldn't have gotten an Oscar nom. for 2 reasons:
1. she was completely unremarkable in the movie; all she did was sulk and pout in equal measure (I realize that the character's situation didn't call for much joy but you know what I mean...)
2. That fist pumping she did at the Oscar ceremony wasn't cute nor adorable, it was annoying - I wanted to reach through the TV screen and strangle her.)
Ulrich,
Lose the hate, it's a child for Christ's sake.
Haters gonna hate. I'm looking forward to Annie AND Counting by 7s!
Ulrich - Seriously? What kind of grouchy old prune are you that you want to strangle a child for being proud of herself (and cute) for getting nominated for an OSCAR? Lmao. Bye.
Even if you aren't a huge fan of the performance, there have certainly been worse/less inspired choices. For instance, the same year if Helen Mirren had been nominated for Hitchcock...
I don't think she should have been nominated for an Oscar (but I feel this way about all small children and awards, not just Quvenzhané), but I think she's lovely and it makes me so happy that she's getting lots of (big!) roles.
At least she is trying and is a good role model for young afro americans who only have the likes of Miley,Rihanna & Beyonce to look up to,all questionable role models for any goirl any colour,good for her,still would leave her off my ballot so glad Oscar chose her over Mirren though but not Cotillard and that Watts non performance bugs me more.
I have a very bad feeling about Annie. I hope it's good, but the trailer does not look promising.
I also think updating it is a big tactical error. A big part of the show's charm is its nostalgic artificiality. Take that away, and it's no longer Annie.
That fist pumping she did at the Oscar ceremony wasn't cute nor adorable, it was annoying - I wanted to reach through the TV screen and strangle her.
Lord, It's a child!! She was 9 years old. I guess you were a grumpy old child Ulrich. That reason of hate is seriouslky ridiculous.
Wow, Ulrich, stay pressed, dude.
Having said that, I don't quite understand why people tend to 'forgive' bad acting if they think the actors are 'adorable'. Personally I think Quvenzhané was more than decent in Beasts of the Southern Wild even though I agree that it wasn't Oscar-worthy. But take a look at other child actors, like those in Harry Potter, for example. They were awful yet I've heard people said 'Oh, it's okay, they're adorable anyway.' Uh, well, the acting is still bad, though? There is nothing fair about Hollywood, but getting roles shouldn't be based on how 'adorable' you look, but your acting talents. I don't know, I think I am just as grumpy as Ulrich today.