Mary Poppins is Back! As a HUGE Disney fan and movie lover, the news of a Mary Poppins film had me beyond excited. The original Mary Poppins film was my first Disney movie. Through the years, I have watched and purchased the original on VHS, DVD, Anniversary series and had the opportunity to attend the 50th Anniversary screening at Grauman's TLC (Chinese) Theatre.
In the new "Mary Poppins Returns," she is back to help the Banks family's next generation after a personal loss leaves them missing out on the joys of life. Starring Emily Blunt as the practically perfect nanny. The film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter and friend of Mary Poppins. A star studded cast includes Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and Joel Dawson play the Banks’ children, along side Colin Firth as William Weatherall Wilkins from the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. Angela Lansbury makes an appearance as the Balloon Lady, and no Mary Poppins film could be complete without Dick Van Dyke who plays Mr. Dawes, Jr., the retired chairman of the bank.
Directed by Rob Marshall with a screenplay by David Magee based on the Mary Poppins stories of P.L. Travers, "Mary Poppins Returns" can't help but be magical!