While we’ve heard whispers recently that a certain magical, umbrella wielding nanny would be making a come back on the big screen, Disney have come out and made it official, setting a December 25th 2018 release date for Mary Poppins Returns, a sequel to the studio’s 1964 classic. Emily Blunt will be taking up the umbrella and carpet bag of the enigmatic title character, joined by Tony award winning creator of the hit musical Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda as new character, a street lamplighter named Jack. The story will take inspiration from P.L. Travers remaining seven Poppins novels, this time round taking place in Depression era London with the now grown up Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, visited by Miss Poppins following a tragic personal loss. The usual Poppins-related antics abound as she helps the family discover the joy and wonder missing from their lives.
Into the Woods’ Rob Marshall will be settling into the directors chair, working from a script by Oscar nominee David Magee (Finding Neverland, Life of Pi), with original songs courtesy of Tony award winning composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Speaking of the project, Marshall had this to say:
“I am truly humbled and honored to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen. The iconic original film means so much to me personally, and I look forward to creating an original movie musical that can bring Mary Poppins, and her message that childlike wonder can be found in even the most challenging of times, to a whole new generation”
This is certainly an interesting turn up for the books. Disney have had a great track record with their live action remakes so far, but is a bona fide classic Mary Poppins a step too far? Sure, the pedigree behind the scenes is second to none, and Blunt does seem like the perfect Julie Andrews substitute, but I can’t shake the niggling feeling that this may see Disney’s remake bible burst. As always though, time will tell.
Into the Woods’ Rob Marshall will be settling into the directors chair, working from a script by Oscar nominee David Magee (Finding Neverland, Life of Pi), with original songs courtesy of Tony award winning composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Speaking of the project, Marshall had this to say:
“I am truly humbled and honored to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen. The iconic original film means so much to me personally, and I look forward to creating an original movie musical that can bring Mary Poppins, and her message that childlike wonder can be found in even the most challenging of times, to a whole new generation”
This is certainly an interesting turn up for the books. Disney have had a great track record with their live action remakes so far, but is a bona fide classic Mary Poppins a step too far? Sure, the pedigree behind the scenes is second to none, and Blunt does seem like the perfect Julie Andrews substitute, but I can’t shake the niggling feeling that this may see Disney’s remake bible burst. As always though, time will tell.
