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There was wall-to-wall star power at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on Friday, with Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen, and actors ranging from Elsie Fisher (age 15) to Angela Lansbury (age 93), but Spike Lee stole the show at the AFI Awards.

In opening remarks, AFI president-ceo Bob Gazzale said everyone was a winner, so he wouldn’t single out any individual, but after praising the AFI Conservatory, he noted that Lee was wearing an NYU cap, prompting Lee to stand up and say, “I applied to AFI, but I didn’t get in!” which got the biggest laugh of the afternoon.

Before the start of the luncheon, there was 90 minutes of power-schmoozing, as Alfonso Cuaron hugged Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos chatted with Sam Elliott, the “Black Panther” team mingled with “This Is Us” reps, “Pose’s” Dominique Jackson spoke to Michael B. Jordan, and FX execs accepted...

As the writer of Mary Poppins Returns, David Magee embraced the major opportunity he saw before him, putting his stamp on an iconic character that meant so much to him. A sequel to Disney’s 1964 musical classic—based on a series of children’s books by P.L. Travers—Mary Poppins Returns circles back to the titular, magical nanny, and the Banks children whose lives she forever changed. Now fully grown, with children of his own, Michael Banks has lost his wife, and stands to gain the most of anyone from Poppins’ reemergence, at a time when his imagination and joy in life have lapsed.

Certainly, there would be many challenges to face, bringing Poppins back to the screen after so many years. First and foremost, the writer had a responsibility to generations of fans, who had been touched by the original. Inevitably, the sequel would need to find harmony with that film’s idiosyncratic spirit,...

Don Kaye Dec 19, 2018

Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and director Rob Marshall on following up one of Disney’s all-time classics.

Opening today (December 19) in theaters is Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel to the classic 1964 Disney film that starred Julie Andrews (in her Oscar-winning feature film debut) as the magical and stern nanny who comes out of the sky to help with the Banks children of Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. The original film is considered one of the Mouse House’s all-time masterpieces, which is perhaps why it took more than 50 years to make a sequel despite the fact that Mary’s creator, P.L. Travers, wrote a total of eight books starring her famous creation.

Mary Poppins Returns is not based specifically on any of the succeeding books but tells an original story in which Mary, now played by Emily Blunt, returns to help the now-grown Jane and Michael Banks (Emily Mortimer...

Casting Meryl Streep is a tall order in Hollywood. But convincing the 21-time Oscar-nominated actress to participate in Mary Poppins Returns proved easy for producer John DeLuca and director Rob Marshall.

"I'll never forget Meryl Streep's email after we asked her," producer DeLuca tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It was an email that said, 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. This is what we need at this time. I need to be a part of a project like this that is going to give hope, and as Mary Poppins comes out of that sky, to ...

Casting Meryl Streep is a tall order in Hollywood. But convincing the 21-time Oscar-nominated actress to participate in Mary Poppins Returns proved easy for producer John DeLuca and director Rob Marshall.

"I'll never forget Meryl Streep's email after we asked her," producer DeLuca tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It was an email that said, 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. This is what we need at this time. I need to be a part of a project like this that is going to give hope, and as Mary Poppins comes out of that sky, to ...

Earlier this week, Entertainment Weekly revealed new photos from the highly-anticipated Mary Poppins sequel entitled Mary Poppins Returns. That report also confirmed a rumor that original Mary Poppins star Dick Van Dyke will make a cameo appearance, but not as his original character Bert. However, that report didn't mention anything about the original Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews, returning to put in an appearance. But director Rob Marshall has now confirmed that Julie Andrews won't appear in Mary Poppins 2, although she does fully support the project.

Director Rob Marshall was best known for his work as a director and choreographer on Broadway before making his feature directorial debut with the Best Picture-winning musical Chicago. In 1995, he had actually choreographed Julie Andrews in the Broadway play Victor/Victoria, and had remained close friends with the actress ever since. Entertainment Weekly reports that the director and producer John DeLuca approached Julie Andrews...

Author: Zehra Phelan

Entertainment Weekly have released a new set of delightful first look images from the Disney reboot of Mary Poppins Returns even if the film isn’t due to hit the big screen until Christmas 2018.

Related: Mary Poppins Returns News

Mary Poppins, who was originally made famous my Julie Andrews in 1964, is set firmly in the hearts of the population both young and old; it’s a story that’s stood the test of time so there is no surprise regarding the bubbling excitement that has been doing the rounds since the announcement of the project.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly Emily Blunt, who plays the titular role, was very aware of how important it was getting the story and feel of the original right, she stated “I hope what we’re doing, and it certainly feels this way to me, is beautiful and profound and...

Next year, one of the most iconic characters in all of cinema is back on the big screen in Disney's highly-anticipated Mary Poppins Returns. We've already seen first look photos of both Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda as the lamplighter Jack, but today we have even more new images, along with behind-the-scenes photos and concept art. We also have more details from director Rob Marshall, who teases how he brought Mary Poppins back to life.

Entertainment Weekly debuted its new cover for this week's print edition, which features Emily Blunt in full costume as Mary Poppins. The site also has new photos featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, Pixie Davies as Annabel Banks, Joel Dawson as Georgie Banks, Nathanael Saleh as John Banks, Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks and Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks. There are also behind-the-scenes shots with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Blunt, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh,...

Back in February, production began on Disney's long-awaited Mary Poppins Returns, which has been filming at Shepperton Studios in London. The production has also been filming on location in various areas of London, and over the weekend, new Mary Poppins Returns set photos surfaced, featuring both Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda embarking on a late-night bike ride through the city near Buckingham Palace, and it seems they're joined by a number of young bike riders as well. No details were given for this scene in question, or when it takes place in this story.

Mary Poppins Returns is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in Pl Travers' additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane (Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen (Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane.

With production continuing on Disney's highly-anticipated Mary Poppins Returns, we finally have our first look at Lin-Manuel Miranda as a lampighter named Jack. We also have even more photos, straight from the London set, which gives us our first look at the grown-up Banks children, Jane (Emily Mortimer) and Michael (Ben Whishaw), as they carry a kite while walking through town with their children. If that wasn't enough, we also get more images with the title character herself, played by Emily Blunt.

These new photos surfaced from various Twitter accounts, which come just a few days after Disney unveiled the first official look at Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins. The film also stars Julie Walters Colin Firth and Meryl Streep, while introducing three new Banks children, played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. The cast is rounded out by silver screen legends Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury.

Simon Brew Mar 6, 2017

Emily Blunt stars as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns. Here's the first image from the production...

With Beauty & The Beast primed to land in UK cinemas in just under two weeks, work is already underway on the next big live action family movie from Disney. And it just happens to be Mary Poppins Returns.

We broke the story that Emily Blunt was in contention for the lead in the film months ahead of those cads at Variety (didn’t stop them claiming it as an exclusive, and refusing to back down, but no, we’re over it). The most important thing though is that the film is happening, filming right now, and for the purposes of this story, the first image from the production has been released.

Into The Woods helmer Rob Marshall is directing this one, and in the image, you can see Emily Blunt in the title role.

Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to the Banks home after many years and uses her magical skills to help the now grown up Michael and Jane rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives in Mary Poppins Returns, directed by Rob Marshall.

Here is the first glimpse of Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns, the all new sequel to Disney’s 1964 film “Mary Poppins.”

Directed and produced by Rob Marshall, Mary Poppins Returns also stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer and Julie Walters with Colin Firth and Meryl Streep.

The film, which introduces three new Banks children, played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson, also features Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury.

The film is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in Pl Travers’ additional seven books.

This article originally appeared on EW.com.

She’s practically perfect from every angle.

Disney has just released a dazzling first look at Mary Poppins Returns, the forthcoming sequel in which the titular nanny is played by the correspondingly magical Emily Blunt. The original follow-up to the cherished 1964 musical will arrive in theaters Dec. 25, 2018.

In this new image, we get just a taste of all the trappings that will help transform Blunt into the legendary caretaker — namely, a stunning peacock-cobalt ruffled coat and a deep rich bird-adorned pink hat, both instantly parallel to but distinctive from what Julie Andrews donned...

Just weeks after production began on Disney's highly-anticipated Mary Poppins Returns, the studio has released the first photo of Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in this all new sequel to Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins. The first look photo shows Emily Blunt in full costume, although her face is obscured by her large hat. It remains to be seen if the studio plans on releasing more images with the rest of this diverse and talented cast, while filming continues.

Directed and produced by Rob Marshall, Mary Poppins Returns also stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer and Julie Walters with Colin Firth and Meryl Streep. The film, which introduces three new Banks children, played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson, also features Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury. The film is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is...

Angela Lansbury has joined the cast of Mary Poppins Returns, the all-new sequel to Disney’s 1964 film “Mary Poppins” currently filming at Shepperton Studios. She will feature as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from Pl Travers’ series of Mary Poppins children’s books. The film is scheduled for release December 25, 2018.

A five-time Tony Award winner and the recipient of an honorary Academy Award, three Academy Award nominations and bestowed with numerous other accolades, Angela Lansbury’s career encompasses more than 70 years. She is a beloved member of the Disney family and starred in “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” and voiced Mrs. Potts in the animated classic “Beauty and the Beast.”

Her roles in film, television and theater range from “Gaslight,” “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Death on the Nile” to “Murder, She Wrote,” “Mame,” “Blithe Spirit,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “Gypsy.”

Directed...

Angela Lansbury has joined the cast of Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep. It is directed and produced by Rob Marshall and will be set in the 1930’s Depression-era London. Michael and Jane are now grown up. Michael (Ben Whishaw) lives with his three children and their housekeeper, but when he suffers a personal loss, enigmatic Nanny Mary Poppins (Blunt) re-enters their lives. The film is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca (“Chicago”) and Marc Platt (“La La Land”). The screenplay is by David Magee (“Life of Pi”) based on the “Mary Poppins” stories by P.

Production on Mary Poppins Returns, the all new sequel to Disney’s 1964 film “Mary Poppins,” has commenced at Shepperton Studios.

The film, which stars Emily Blunt (“The Girl on the Train,” “Into the Woods”) and Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) and is directed and produced by Oscar nominee, Emmy and DGA Award winner Rob Marshall (“Into the Woods,” “Chicago”), is scheduled for release December 25, 2018.

The film also stars: Ben Whishaw (“Spectre”), Emily Mortimer (“Hugo”) and Julie Walters (“Harry Potter” films) with Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”).

In addition, Dick Van Dyke plays Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, which is now run by William Weatherall Wilkins (Firth).

Mary Poppins Returns introduces three new Banks children, played by Pixie Davies (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”), Nathanael Saleh (“Game of Thrones”) and newcomer Joel Dawson.

Disney has some incredible reboots in store, but one of the most highly anticipated has to be the upcoming sequel to Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns. While nothing can top the original, the film certainly has some incredible stars lined up, including cameos from the original cast! Not to mention, the production team certainly knows a thing or two about musical adaptations. Get all the details about the movie, as well as the release date, here. The Cast Emily Blunt will take on the coveted role of Mary Poppins, and Lin-Manuel Miranda will play a lamplighter named Jack. The film also stars Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, and Julie Walters. Dick Van Dyke (who played Bert in the original movie) will also make a special appearance as Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson will play the three new Banks children.

The sequel to Disney's 1960s classic, Mary Poppins, is currently underway as filming has officially started. We already knew Emily Blunt was playing the titular role, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda as a co-star, but the rest of the stacked cast has been revealed with today's announcement. Come inside to learn more!

Frankly speaking, it's still a little odd to be writing about a sequel to Mary Poppins. It's not something I thought would ever happen, but lo and behold...Mary Poppins Returns already started filming. Today Disney brings the announcement for the start of production, giving us some more insight into the sequel's story as well as the impressive cast they've assembled.

“Mary Poppins Returns” is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in Pl Travers’ additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane (Mortimer) are now grown up,...

Production on Mary Poppins Returns, the all new sequel to Disney's 1964 film Mary Poppins, has commenced at Shepperton Studios. The film, which stars Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt (The Girl on the Train, Into the Woods) and Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) and is directed and produced by Oscar nominee, Emmy and DGA Award winner Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, Chicago), is scheduled for release December 25, 2018.

The film also stars Ben Whishaw (Spectre), Emily Mortimer (Hugo) and Julie Walters (Harry Potter films) with Colin Firth (The King's Speech) and Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins). In addition, Dick Van Dyke plays Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, which is now run by William Weatherall Wilkins (Firth).

Mary Poppins Returns introduces three new Banks children, played by Pixie Davies (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), Nathanael Saleh (Game of Thrones) and newcomer Joel Dawson.

Lin-Manuel Miranda co-stars, with Rob Marshall directing.

Production has begun on Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel to the 1964 classic.

The film will star Emily Blunt as Poppins. The cast also includes Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Colin Firth and Meryl Streep. Dick Van Dyke also returns, playing a new role.

Mary Poppins Returns is set for a December 2018 release and is being filmed at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England.

The 1930s-set story is inspired by author Pl Travers’ books, and revisits the Banks family with Jane and Michael (Mortimer and Whishaw) now grown-up.

They now have three children, played by Pixie Davies (Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children), Nathanael Saleh (Game of Thrones) and newcomer Joel Dawson. Julie Walters plays their housekeeper.

After a personal tragedy, Poppins returns to help the family with her lamplighter friend Jack (Miranda) and eccentric cousin Topsy (Streep).

Dick Van Dyke plays the chairman of Fidelity...

Colin Firth, star of Kingsman and Bridget Jones’ Baby, has entered talks to join Mary Poppins Returns, the long-rumored sequel headed up by director Rob Marshall.

Variety has the scoop, revealing the British thesp is in line to land the role of William Weatherall Wilkins, president of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. On board to craft what Disney hopes to be a super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious screenplay is David Magee, with Marc Platt and John DeLuca attached to produce.

Meanwhile, Sicario star Emily Blunt will takes point as the magical caretaker, headlining a story that “will take place in Depression-era London (when the books were originally written) and follows a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, who, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins (Blunt) following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack (Miranda), she helps the family rediscover the joy...

Meryl Streep is in talks to play Topsy, the cousin of Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) in the upcoming live-action feature "Mary Poppins Returns" for Walt Disney Pictures.

In the P.L. Travers book series, the character is named Topsy Tartlet and marries into the name Topsy Turvey. Lin-Manuel Miranda also stars in the film as a street lamplighter named Jack.

The story will take place in Depression-era London and follows a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, who, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

Much of the team behind "Into the Woods" including director Rob Marshall along with producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt are behind the film which boasts a script by David Magee and new music...

Meryl Streep is circling a supporting role in the upcoming Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” Variety reports. The three-time Oscar winner is likely to close a deal for the role of Mary Poppins’s cousin Topsy, who was not in the 1964 original film.

If cast in the Disney production, Streep would be reunited with her “Into the Woods” co-star Emily Blunt, director Rob Marshall, and producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt. The 2014 fairy tale story earned Streep her 19th Oscar nomination.

Blunt is set to play the role of Poppins in the film alongside “Hamilton” creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who will play the role of Jack, a street lamplighter who was also not in the original “Mary Poppins.”

Here’s the official synopsis for the film: In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss.

Variety reports that Academy Award winner Meryl Streep is in negotiations to join Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel-Miranda in Disney's Mary Poppins Returns. The film would reunite Streep with director Rob Marshall and producers Marc Platt and John DeLuca, who previously collaborated Disney's musical adaptation of Into The Woods. Mary Poppins Returns would also be the third film Blunt and Streep starred opposite each other after appearing together in The Devil Wears Prada" and "Into The Woods.

Screenwriter David Magee wrote the screenplay based on the children novels by P.L. Travers. Songwriter Marc Shaiman is composing a brand new material for the film and is also writing the songs with Scott Wittman.

The film and story will take place in a Depression-era London (when the books were originally written) and follows a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, who, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss.

Emily Blunt has officially landed the role of Mary Poppins in a Disney sequel set for release in 2018.

Rumours suggesting 33-year-old British actress was the frontrunner to take on the titular role in the family movie first emerged in February (16), and on Tuesday (May 31), Disney executives officially announced she is their leading lady.

Variety reports Blunt will be joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of Broadway smash Hamilton, and the sequel, entitled Mary Poppins Returns, will hit cinemas on Christmas Day (25Dec18).

Blunt will be reuniting with the director and production team behind her hit 2014 Disney musical Into the Woods, and filmmaker Rob Marshall can't wait to work with her again. Marshall, who is also producing the upcoming film with John DeLuca and Marc Platt, says, "I am truly humbled and honoured to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen.

"The iconic...

Golden Globe Award® winner Emily Blunt (“Into the Woods,” the upcoming “Girl on the Train”) and Emmy®, Grammy®, Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) are set to star in Mary Poppins Returns, a sequel to the studio’s 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, which will be released on December 25, 2018.

Reuniting the director and producing team behind Disney’s hit film musical Into The Woods, the film will be directed by Oscar® nominee, Emmy® and DGA Award winner Rob Marshall and produced by Marshall, Emmy winner and Golden Globe® nominee John DeLuca and Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award® nominee and Golden Globe winner Marc Platt. The screenplay will be written by Oscar nominee David Magee based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers, with Oscar nominee and Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman composing an all-new score and Shaiman and Emmy nominee and Tony Award winner Scott Wittman writing original songs.

Walt Disney Pictures has officially announced a December 25th 2018 release date for the freshly titled "Mary Poppins Returns," a sequel to the studio's 1964 classic "Mary Poppins".

Golden Globe Award winner Emily Blunt and Emmy, Grammy, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda are set to star in the film which will be directed by Rob Marshall ("Into the Woods") and produced by Marshall, John DeLuca and Marc Platt.

Blunt has been cast as Mary Poppins, Miranda will play a street lamplighter named Jack. The story will take place in Depression-era London and follows a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks who, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss.

Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Oscar nominee David Magee will pen the...

Now that he has utterly and completely conquered Broadway, it’ll be interesting to see how Hollywood handles Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s clear that he’s already been embraced by the creative community. He and Jj Abrams had a lot of fun creating that cantina song for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and had apparently even more fun performing the song live for crowds waiting for the daily Hamilton ticket lottery. He’s working on songs for Moana, the Polynesian-themed Disney musical that will feature Dwayne Johnson singing. His long-rumored connection to the Mary Poppins sequel has finally been verified by an official press release from Disney. While I consider Mary Poppins one of the crown jewels of Disney’s entire filmography, I am not instantly opposed to a sequel. It’s clear now that they are not remaking the original, and considering how much other material P.L. Travers wrote...

The studio said on Tuesday that Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Puerto Rican artist who created and starred in Broadway smash Hamilton, will join previously announced Emily Blunt in the title role.

Mary Poppins Returns will open wide in North America on December 25, 2018. The date stays the same but the film had been listed previously as Untitled Disney Live Action.

Rob Marshall will direct the sequel to the 1964 family classic starring Julie Andrews and is joined by his Into The Woods producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt. Blunt also starred in that film.

Miranda will play a new character, a street lamplighter named Jack. David Magee will write the screenplay based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers and the film will take place in 1930s London as the titular nanny visits a grown-up Jane and Michael Banks and Michael’s three children following a personal loss and helps them rediscover happiness.

Marc Shaiman is on board...

Almost five decades on since the original graced theaters, the mere suggestion of a sequel to Disney’s Mary Poppins may sound really rather atrocious on paper. But that hasn’t quelled the company’s enthusiasm to return to the well of children’s fantasy and magical nannies, with today bringing word that Mary Poppins Returns has snapped up a December 25, 2018 release date.

The musical places Edge of Tomorrow and Sicario alum Emily Blunt in the title role of Mary Poppins, where she’ll star opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda, the actor-musician best known for his work on Broadway hit, Hamilton.

Much as previous reports had suggested, Disney’s Mary Poppins sequel – which, it should be stressed, isn’t considered a remake – will pay a visit to the Banks family in Depression-era London. Now all grown up, Jane and Michael Banks are coping with a heartwrenching family tragedy, one that essentially sucks...

Golden Globe Award winner Emily Blunt (Into the Woods, the upcoming Girl on the Train) and Emmy, Grammy, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights) are set to star in Mary Poppins Returns, a sequel to the studio's 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, which will be released on December 25, 2018. Disney had previously set the Christmas 2018 date for an unspecified film, which was revealed today to be Mary Poppins Returns. The movie's only current competition on that date is an untitled Warner Bros. event film.

Reuniting the director and producing team behind Disney's hit film musical Into the Woods, the film will be directed by Oscar nominee, Emmy and DGA Award winner Rob Marshall and produced by Marshall, Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee John DeLuca and Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Marc Platt. The screenplay will be written by Oscar nominee David Magee...

Disney has made it official: Emily Blunt and Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda will star in Mary Poppins Returns, a sequel to the 1964 classic film Mary Poppins, and Rob Marshall (Chicago) is directing. The film has a release date of December 25, 2018.

When Miranda's name surfaced as a possible co-star, there was some discussion about whether or not he'd contribute to the music of the movie as well as acting in it. That doesn't appear to be the case, because the press release doesn't mention anything about it; if he was helping out in the music department, I'd assume Disney would want to broadcast that as loudly as possible in order to capitalize on the crazy success of Hamilton.

December of 2018 is shaping up to be a busy movie season. DC has an untitled event film scheduled for that Christmas, Lord & Miller's animated Spider-Man hits on December 21, there's an Avatar sequel arriving around that time,...

Super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious. Disney on Tuesday announced that its Mary Poppins sequel will open on Dec. 25, 2018, more than five decades after the 1964 classic film first played in theaters. The studio also revealed the movie's title for the first time: Mary Poppins Returns. The musical stars Emily Blunt as the magical nanny opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda, star and creator of the Broadway hit musical Hamilton. Rob Marshall is directing Mary Poppins Returns from an adapted script by David Magee, as well as producing alongside Marc Platt and John DeLuca. Marc Shaiman is composing an

read more...

With Emily Blunt on board to play the titular, magical nanny, casting is beginning to heat up on Disney and Rob Marshall’s Mary Poppins sequel, and today Variety brings word that Lin-Manuel Miranda is in contention to play the role made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the cherished 1962 classic.

Best known for stage show Hamilton, Miranda has opened talks with the House of Mouse to join the long-rumored sequel as Jack, a lamplighter that is essentially a modern incarnation of Van Dyke’s Bert. Beyond walking the boards on Broadway, Miranda recently wrote and performed two musical numbers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, particularly for the scene involving Maz Canata’s castle, while upcoming animation Moana also features on his decorated résumé.

Now, he’s on the verge of dipping his toe into the whimsical world of P.L. Travers. Marhsall, best known for fellow musical Into the Woods,...

"Hamilton" creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda is in talks to co-star with Emily Blunt in the "Mary Poppins" sequel in the works at Disney Pictures.

The story is set in Depression-era London, twenty years after the first film was set. The storylines will continue plot threads from P.L. Travers' books focusing on the magical nanny's continued adventures with the Banks family.

Miranda would play Jack, a lamplighter resembling the character of Dick Van Dyke's Bert from the 1964 classic. Rob Marshall ("Into the Woods," "Chicago") is helming and will produce alongside John DeLuca and Marc Platt.

Miranda is also expected to play a part in developing new songs for the Poppins sequel.

Source: Variety...

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of Broadway's hit musical Hamilton, is in talks to join Emily Blunt in Disney's Mary Poppins sequel. He will play the role of Jack in the new original musical. Sources say the story will center on the now grown-up Jane and Michael Banks, who have experienced a personal loss that results in the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins (Blunt). She teams up with her lamplighter friend Jack (Miranda) to help the family. Rob Marshall will direct and also is producing with Marc Platt and John DeLuca. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

read more...

“Hamilton” creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda is in talks to join Disney’s “Mary Poppins” sequel, TheWrap has learned. Emily Blunt is set to play Mary Poppins, while Miranda is making a deal to play a lamplighter named Jack who shares similarities with Dick Van Dyke‘s character from the original movie. Rob Marshall will direct the musical, which will be produced by his “Into the Woods” collaborators Marc Platt and John DeLuca. Also Read: Grammys: Watch 'Hamilton' Star Lin-Manuel Miranda Rap the Night's Best Speech (Video) Drawing from the wealth of material in P.L. Travers’ additional seven novels, the new live-action musical will be.

Disney's upcoming follow-up to its classic musical "Mary Poppins" may have found its titular star, with reports indicating that Emily Blunt is in negotiations for the role.

Variety has the scoop that Blunt is in talks to take the high-profile part, and is currently trying to work out scheduling. Blunt and husband John Krasinski recently confirmed that they're expecting their second child, which could complicate filming.

The new "Poppins" project, which was announced last year, had initially been described as definitively not a direct sequel to Disney's original 1964 flick, which was based on the books by P.L. Travers. Rather, this upcoming flick would draw from other stories in Travers's eight-volume series, and pick up about 20 years after the first film's action, in 1920s Depression-era London, telling additional tales of Poppins's adventures with the Banks family. Variety's report does call this upcoming flick a sequel, but that may be more for convenience's sake than exact semantics.

Variety reports that actress Emily Blunt is in negotiations to star in Disney's sequel to Mary Poppins. John DeLuca and Marc Platt will serve as producers on the film with Rob Marshall directing. Sources say the new film will take place 20 years after the original 1964 film, Mary Poppins, which starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The story follows a nanny who comes to work for a bankers unhappy family in pre-World War I England.

Disney has found success adapting a number of classic animated films such as Alice In Wonderland and Cinderella. The studio just completed production on a live-action Beauty And The Beast film starring Emma Watson set for release next year and is also developing a 'Cruella Deville' origin film starring Emma Stone.

Blunt is currently filming 20th Century Fox's Girl On A Train film adaptation and has Universal Pictures' Snow White-prequel, The Hunstman: Winter's War starring Charlize Theron,...

It's official, Emily Blunt has entered talks to take over the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the upcoming sequel to "Mary Poppins" at Walt Disney Pictures.

"Into the Woods" director Rob Marshall is helming the new film based on the series of children's books by P.L. Travers along with the famous 1964 film adaptation starring Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

The first film follows a magical nanny who comes to care for a British family, the Banks. The original was set in the year 1910, while the new one will shift the action to 1930 and borrow story elements from the other seven books in the series - primarily the second one "Mary Poppins Comes Back".

John DeLuca and Marc Platt will produce.

Source: THR...

Back in September, Disney announced they were moving forward on a Mary Poppins sequel, that will take place roughly 20 years after the events of the original movie, set in the 1930s. We haven't heard anything about the project since then, but today we have word from The Hollywood Reporter that Emily Blunt is in talks to star as the title character. The actress' name surfaced as a potential candidate to play Mary Poppins in September, but now negotiations are officially under way.

The story will be pulled from author P.L. Travers' eight literary sequels, including the first follow-up Mary Poppins Comes Back. The first Mary Poppins movie was released in 1964, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, with the story set in 1910. This new report reveals that the sequel is set in Depression-era London, following the adult Michael Banks, who now has children of his own. When his big sister Jane returns to town,...

As has been rumored since the project was first announced last fall, Emily Blunt is in talks to star in an untitled “Mary Poppins” sequel for Disney, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap. Blunt has been the clear-cut choice for the title role since she worked with director Rob Marshall and producers Marc Platt and John DeLuca on “Into the Woods,” as has been reported by several prominent blogs. Her involvement has not really progressed since the fall, and Blunt is now pregnant with her second child, making it hard for her to commit to the project,...

Even though the sound of it may sound atrocious at first, Entertainment Weekly brings word that Disney is planning to move forward with a new Mary Poppins film set a full 20 years after the events of the 1964 classic.

Based once again on Pl Travers’ novel series about the astute, magical character, the House of Mouse is reportedly gunning to add a new chapter in the world of whimsical characters and airborne nannies, with early reports championing Anne Hathaway as a favorite to land the coveted title part. Granted, Disney didn’t mention anything regarding the follow-up’s cast, though it did confirm a member of the team on the other side of the lens in the form of Into The Woods helmer Rob Marshall.

He’s on board to direct the musical sequel for Disney, reuniting with collaborators John DeLuca and Mark Platt for the new-fangled take on Mary Poppins.

Given her well documented objection to anyone – and particularly Disney – adapting her stories into other media, we can’t imagine P.L. Travers, were she alive today, would be thrilled to learn that the Mouse House is returning to the Mary Poppins well. But it’s true: Into The Woods’ Rob Marshall is developing a new film about the character.According to Entertainment Weekly, the studio and filmmakers (including Marshall’s Woods collaborators John DeLuca and Mark Platt) have been working with the Travers estate and already have the backing of Poppins co-songwriter Richard Sherman. He won’t be providing the main music this time, however; that job falls to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. As for the source material? The team is sticking with Travers’ tales: the Poppins stories expand beyond the original tome across a book series that ran between 1934 and 1988; the 1964 original only drew from the first instalment.

Walt Disney Pictures is teaming up with filmmaker Rob Marshall to develop a sequel to the studio's beloved 1964 classic Mary Poppins. Variety confirms that the story will be set 20 years after the film, using plot lines from author P.L. Travers' eight literary sequels, including the first follow-up Mary Poppins Comes Back. No specifics were given for the story, except that this sequel will follow the title character's furthering adventures with the Banks family.

The original Mary Poppins starred Julie Andrews as the title character, alongside Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Hermione Baddeley and Reta Shaw. Author P.L. Travers wrote eight Mary Poppins books, but it isn't known if this theatrical follow-up will be adapted from a specific story within those books, or if it will be an amalgam of those stories. P.L. Travers' literary sequels include Mary Poppins Comes Back (1935), Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943), Mary Poppins...

Disney and Rob Marshall are developing a live-action musical featuring beloved nanny Mary Poppins, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap Monday. Marshall will direct. John DeLuca and Marc Platt, who worked with Marshall on “Into the Woods,” will serve as executive producers. The big-screen version of the musical was a hit for Disney last year, grossing more than $210 million. The new Poppins film will take place in Depression-era London, some 20 years after Disney’s 1964 classic starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and will draw from existing Poppins tales in the rest of author P.L. Travers’ children’s book series.

After the giant success of “Alice In Wonderland,” “Maleficent” and “Cinderella,” Disney are preparing to reboot everything—“Beauty & The Beast” and “The Jungle Book” are well into production, and everything from “Dumbo” and “Aladdin” are in the works to some degree or other. So it was only a matter of time before they got around to “Mary Poppins.” Read More: Disney Cracks The Whip, Nabs Rights To Future 'Indiana Jones' Films EW report that Disney are developing a new story featuring the magical nanny created by P.L. Travers, with “Chicago” and “Into The Woods” helmer Rob Marshall set to direct, and his producers on the latter project, John DeLuca and Marc Platt, backing him. “Life Of Pi” writer David Magee will pen the script, and “Hairspray”’s Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will write songs for the project, which would be set in London in the 1930s, and pick up...

"Mary Poppins" is coming back to the big screen: Disney is working on a new, original musical starring its classic magical nanny.

Entertainment Weekly reports that the film is already moving through the development stages, with director Rob Marshall ("Chicago," "Into the Woods") at the helm. Marshall will re-team with his "Into the Woods" producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt for the project, which is set to be a new musical adventure featuring the Poppins character -- and not a direct sequel to the famous 1964 version.

Per EW:

The new Poppins film will take place in Depression-era London, some 20 years after Disney's classic Mary Poppins, and will draw from existing Poppins tales in the rest of author P.L. Travers' 1934-1988 children's book series. The practically perfect 1964 screen adaptation starring Julie Andrews pulled its story primarily from the first installment in Travers' eight-book series; the new project (which is decidedly...

Disney is getting its "Into the Woods" team to reunite for a sequel to the classic family musical feature "Mary Poppins".

Rob Marshall will direct and both John DeLuca and Marc Platt will produce the new film which will be set in London twenty years after the first film.

The new film will take storylines from the P.L. Travers' children books and focus on the magical nanny's continued adventures with the Banks family.

Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke starred in the original which followed a nanny who came to work for a banker's unhappy family in pre-World War I England.

With the studio having had major success crafting live-action films out of their classic animated features, it is said to be planning to give a similar treatment to its classic live-action films as well.

Source: Variety...