Disney’sMary Poppinssequel is moving forward in the right direction, withEmily Bluntentering talks to play themagical nannylast week. Today,Varietyhas word thatLin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of the hit Broadway sensationHamilton, has engaged in talks with the studio to play Jack. This character is said to be a lamplighter, who resembles Dick Van Dyke’s character Bert from the originalMary Poppins.
This newMary Poppinsproject will be set in the 1930s, 20 years after the events of the original movie, in Depression-Era London. The plot follows the adult Michael Banks, who now has children of his own. When his big sister Jane returns to town, after falling on hard times, their belovedMary Poppinscomes back to help. The story will be pulled from authorP.L. Travers' eight literary sequels, including the first follow-upMary Poppins Comes Back, 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.
The firstMary Poppinsmovie was released in 1964, starringJulie Andrewsand Dick Van Dyke, with the story set in 1910. The movie went on to become a huge success, grossing over $100 million at thebox office, and winning five Oscars, includingJulie Andrews' win for Best Actress.Walt Disney’s arduous journey to adaptP.L. Travers' beloved book was turned into the 2013 movieSaving Mr. Banks, starringTom HanksasWalt DisneyandEmma ThompsonasP.L. Travers.
Rob Marshallis directing from a screenplay byDavid Magee(Life of Piand Finding Neverland).Rob Marshallis teaming up with musicians Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), who will composeoriginal songsand a new score. The filmmakers are also working withP.L. Travers' estate and the project has the blessing ofMary Poppinscomposer Richard M. Sherman, who wrote the movie’s famous songs like “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” with his late brother, Robert B. Sherman.
Lin-Manuel Mirandahas already established a relationship with Disney, after it was revealed that the Hamilton creator did theCantina musicinStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and he is also composing the score for Disney’s animated movieMoana. Before starring in and creating the stage blockbusterHamilton, he also appeared in Disney’sThe Odd Life of Timothy Green. What do you think aboutLin-Manuel Mirandaplaying the lamplighter Jack inMary Poppins?
