A few weeks back, Disney teased the first image of Emily Blunt as “the practically perfect in every way” Mary Poppins in their forthcoming sequel Mary Poppins Returns. The image was but a mere simple glimpse of Blunt in profile donning a floral hat. A new peek emerged online today, showing not just her face but also our first glimpse of Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s lamplighter Jack.
Emily blunt and lin-Manuel April 1 ,2017 pic.twitter.com/4H2YMYm8oH
— Mary Poppins Returns (@MaryPoppinsFilm) April 2, 2017
Rob Marshall directs this sequel to the 1964 Disney classic (which earned Julie Andrews an Academy Award for her iconic take) by upon the beloved novels by P.L. Travers. (The development of Mary Poppins along with the cajoling on the part of Walt Disney to secure the film rights from Travers was the source of the recent Disney film Saving Mr. Banks, featuring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.)
Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins), Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), Ben Whishaw (Spectre), Julie Walters (Brooklyn), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island), Angela Lansbury and the original’s “Burt” Dick Van Dyke all co-star in the film due in theaters on Christmas Day.
The official synopsis for Mary Poppins Returns reads:
“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. 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.”