To fill Julie Andrews' shoes in a remake of such a widely adored classic would be an enormous ask of any actor but we could not imagine a more suitable casting scenario than appointing Emily Blunt as a modern day Mary Poppins; could you?
The British actress - who was apparently the movie-makers' first choice and we can see why - will take over the mantel from Andrews in a sequel story that's set long after the original Oscar-winning classic. The movie, entitled 'Mary Poppins Returns' will centre on Michael Banks who's now a grown man with three children of his own, and in the aftermath of a family tragedy, they welcome help from none other than Miss Poppins. Rob Marshall (Into The Woods) will take the helm as director while Lin-Manuel Miranda will star as a new character opposite Blunt, Jack the street lamplighter.
Before the original film's fans turn up outside Disney's offices with pitchforks, out of fear that they might tarnish the original, let it be known that this is not entirely based on the 1964 musical. Instead, the story will be put together from the material within seven previously unadapted books from Mary Poppins' creator PL Travers, so hold your horses on the inevitable sequel panic.
Speaking to Vulture about the task ahead, Marshall says of the sequel “This is an extension. I’m a huge fan of the original, and I’m a very good friend of Julie Andrews, and I hold it in such awe. There is all this new material – it was the Harry Potter of its time – and they were never turned into anything further than that adventure.”
Mark December 25th, 2018 in your diaries; this will be perfect Christmastime family fodder.
