Disney’s 1964 movie about a young nanny who brought magic and medicine to a troubled household was a box office smash. Mary Poppins was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, and won five.
With remakes left, right and centre, it was good news to hear that the new film will not be remade, and instead will be a sequel to the original film. It will be titled Mary Poppins Returns.
Snippets of the plot have been slowly revealed, as well as names of the actors who have been signed up. Now, according to a press release from Disney themselves, we can reveal that filming has officially begun at London’s Shepperton Studios and a full cast list.
Emily Blunt will take the titular role. Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer will star as the adult versions of Michael and Jane. Julie Walters, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth bring some huge names to the list, and old favourite, Dick Van Dyke, who appeared in the original, will also be seen again.
Rob Marshall takes the director’s chair, and the screenplay will be written by David Magee (Life of Pi, Finding Neverland). The film is to take elements from all seven books written by Mary Poppins creator, PL Travers.
Set in 1930s London, the film is to focus on an adult Michael when he suffer a personal tragedy. Cue Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar. Possibly a significantly older Dick Van Dyke, and maybe some dancing penguins.
Sequels are rarely as good as their original film, but Mary Poppins Returns boasts an impressive cast list, a talented director and a huge following. If anything has the potential to be a success, this does.
Mary Poppins Returns is scheduled for release on December 25, 2018.
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