In an age of delayed reboots and sequels, Mary Poppins Returns stands by itself. When it finally opens in theaters on December 25, 2018, it will arrive a whopping 54 years after the original.
Like the original movie, Mary Poppins Returns is based on a series of books by P.L. Travers. Travers wrote eight novels in total about Mary Poppins; the first was published in 1934 and the other books from 1935 to 1988. But the sequel will not follow any of them directly.
Instead, the movie will take place in Depression-era London (when the books were originally written) and follows a now-grown Jane Banks and her little brother Michael, who, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following Michael's personal loss.
Here's a rundown of the major players and supporting cast.
Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jack)
Blunt has already proven her mettle as a lead actress in the fiercely dramatic Sicario and will lead the thriller The Girl on the Train later this year. She sang a sparkling supporting role in the 2014 musical lnto the Woods, the same year she stood toe to toe opposite Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow. Clearly, she is more than ready to impart new magic into the magical nanny.
As for Miranda, can the magnetic star of Broadway's Hamilton make the leap to the big screen? He's set to play Jack, Mary's lamplighter friend. With his singing abilities and well-developed charisma, he sounds like a natural for the role.
Meryl Streep (Topsy)
Meryl Streep is in talks to portray Topsy, one of Mary's cousins, and will also sing in the movie. She previously teamed with Blunt in the musical Into the Woods.
Ben Whishaw (Michael)
Whishaw (SPECTRE) is now in negotiations to join the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. If things work out, he would portray the adult Michael Banks, played by young Matthew Garber in the original movie, and will be at the center of the drama.
The next key role to be cast is Michael's big sister, Jane. Since the film is not based directly on any of Travers' books, it's impossible to say what other roles might remain to be filled. Rob Marshall (Into the Woods) will direct. The big question though... will we see any cameos from Julie Andrews or Dick Van Dyke?
