The “Magic Always Returns” and this coming holiday season promises to pack as much of it into our stockings as possible! Walt Disney Pictures is bringing our beloved Mary Poppins back to the screen for another cordial visit to the Banks family. This time, she visits the next generation and the story-line is already tugging at our heart strings.
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About the movie
In Disney’s MARY POPPINS RETURNS, an all-new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.
About the Cast and Crew
MARY POPPINS RETURNS is directed by Rob Marshall. The screenplay is by David Magee and the screen story is by Magee & Rob Marshall & John DeLuca based upon the Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are John DeLuca, p.g.a., Rob Marshall, p.g.a. and Marc Platt, p.g.a. with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer. The music score is by Marc Shaiman and the film features all new original songs with music by Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.
The film also stars Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and introducing Joel Dawson as the Banks’ children, with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes, Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.
FIVE REASONS I LOOK FORWARD TO MARY POPPINS RETURNS
To be quite frank and honest, I am in awe at the cast they pulled together. I have every confidence in the world that this team is going to pull off another Disney hit.
Of course, the original story holds a place in my heart for a number of reasons. However, instead of giving me reason to doubt the sequel, it has been fueling the anticipation and my childlike giddiness to see how this new story unfolds in just less than two months.
I LOVED the original!
When I was young, this was the movie I could not wait to see all year!! It aired on TV as a special around the holidays (though I cannot remember whether it was Easter or Thanksgiving). To my mother’s chagrin, I loved to sing ~ loudly and with gusto! So, when this movie played, it was nearly impossible to keep me quiet. Whether it was about a spoonful of sugar or the anthem of the chimney sweeps, each and every song had to be sung and at the top of my lungs. Julie Andrews’ voice was inspiring and angelic and I dreamed of replicating her vocal ability one day (never happened, but I at least can sing). She was perfectly cast in her role as the practically perfect nanny. Not to mention, this is the film that made me fall in love with Dick van Dyke’s talent and humor.
Who doesn’t love Lin-Manuel Miranda?
Miranda has been dropping jaws for years now, but ultimately stole the show (and our hearts) with his modernized version of the tale showcasing American History and Alexander Hamilton’s place in it. It was exciting to hear when Disney snagged him for Moana and even more exciting when we heard his voice would be heard in the animated film. When news broke that he was to be cast in MARY POPPINS RETURNS? Well, it’s pretty obvious that information was of critical importance as it spread through social media like a wildfire.
Huge fan of Emily Blunt!
I seriously and honestly am a HUGE fan of this young lady! I absolutely loved her in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and, while the movie itself was not a hit, I adored hearing her sing in the film INTO THE WOODS. Casting is important to me ~ finding the right face, personality and talent to fit a role. When I hear a new film is in the works, I immediately begin to think on who could master the character. No joke! If anyone was to be asked to fill the shoes of such an iconic character as Mary Poppins and vocal queen such as Julie Andrew, Emily Blunt certainly has the grit and talent to do so.
A childhood memory
While I don’t anticipate any of the original songs to be an integral part of the current film (though perhaps woven into the musical interludes), I cannot help, but be reminded of them with the release of the sequel. When I was in fifth grade, I sang “Chim-Chim Cher-ee” for the school talent show. While that in itself was important to me, this particular performance was more important because my father was there. My parents had divorced when I was two and I was all about my daddy. I didn’t get to see him too often. So, when I saw him standing in the back watching the show, it gave me such an extra boost of energy that I gave it all I had. I wanted to make my Daddy proud.
A proud parent memory
Just a few short years ago, two of my sons had the opportunity to perform in a high school stage production of Mary Poppins: The Musical. The oldest was a senior and the middle one a freshman. Both were cast in great roles (the oldest as Michael, the middle son as Robertson Ay) and they made us immensely proud of their passion and performance.
Of course, to this day, we lovingly joke about how “Michael” had the hairiest legs on a child we had ever seen!!! (Nope – Mama was not letting him shave!).
Is it December yet?
So – you can see why the anticipation is building in our home. This is a favorite for our family. MARY POPPINS RETURNS certainly may have big shoes to fill, but it appears to be poised to take us on a magical adventure and journey that aims to captivate our hearts and souls.
Are you looking forward to seeing the film when it is released in mid December? What are you looking forward to most about it? Is it a particular character? The story-line? Dick van Dyke? The fact that it’s Disney and Disney rarely disappoints?
I’d love to know where your heart lies with seeing MARY POPPINS RETURNS! Share your thoughts and comments below!
Until then…
Enjoy this brand new special look at the film just released to build the excitement just a little bit more!
- Like MARY POPPINS RETURNS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypoppinsreturns/
- Follow Walt Disney Studios on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneystudios
- Follow MARY POPPINS RETURNS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypoppinsreturns/
MARY POPPINS RETURNS arrives in theatres everywhere on December 19th!
**Psst – Have you checked out the latest featurette and music video for THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS?
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