Starring in a film about a strong-willed little girl who is searching for her family resonates with young Wallis; who’s buoyed by such a close-knit family. She acknowledged that she wants any kid who is living that reality to find hope in the story of Annie.
“It’s OK to know that you’re a foster kid,” she says with genuine concern. “You don’t have to struggle so hard [with] it. Other people are also going through the situation. God is always there for you — it’s not that you’re alone.”
Wallis’ breakthrough role as Hushpuppy in 2012’s Beasts of the Southern Wild landed her an Oscar nomination; she’s the youngest person to ever be nominated for Best Actress. Now playing the spunky Annie Bennett, Wallis acknowledges that she seems to have a knack for playing very spirited little girls, and she sees the way Hushpuppy and Annie are defined by their love of their parents.
“Hushpuppy has a parent and she thinks that she has her mom or that she’s found her mom,” she explains. “Annie doesn’t have any parents. She’s trying to find her parents. And it’s kind of different. They both include kids trying to help or find their parents.
“[Annie] goes for what she wants. She’s trying to find her parents. All the way through, she’s trying to push through [evil foster mother] Ms. Hannigan. The foster girls are helping her. I loved being on set. I knew everybody. All of the girls were really fun.”
Wallis says the music was the most enjoyable aspect of making the movie, and she hopes that kids get into the new songs that have been added to the already very well-known set of classics. “We have two new songs,” she says, before adding with a laugh. “I sang along and danced with it when I watched the movie! I hope they enjoy all of the music, really!”
