Recently, Disney’s double down initiative on live-action remakes of its classic animated films has yielded varying results. The Jungle Book surprised both critics and audiences as both a sterling example of an adaptation and a thrilling blockbuster in its own right. By comparison, Alice Through the Looking Glass is having a tougher time with critics (30% on Rotten Tomatoes), while 20th Century Fox’s X-Men: Apocalypse is currently trouncing it in both box office numbers and audience turnout (despite the fact that both films suffered from the Memorial Day weekend drag).
Nonetheless, the live-action remake train seems poised to continue unabated for quite some time.
As confirmed by a press release from the studio, Walt Disney Pictures has finally granted a title and a release date to the new Mary Poppins film, which will now hit theaters on December 25, 2018 under the title of Mary Poppins Returns.
Also confirmed by the press release is the casting of Emily Blunt as the title character of Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame) as a new character, a street lamplighter named Jack.
Drawing from the wealth of material in the seven additional novels written by P. L. Travers, the film takes place in Depression-era London (when the books were originally written), 20 years after the events of the classic 1964 film. The plot follows Jane and Michael Banks, now adults, who are once again visited by Mary Poppins to help them, and Michael’s three children, cope with a personal loss. With her magical abilities and the aid of her friend Jack, Mary helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder that had gone missing in their lives.
Rob Marshall directs the film from a screenplay by David Magee (Finding Neverland and The Life of Pi). Marc Shaiman will compose the score and will team up with his Hairspray/Smash collaborator Scott Wittman to write new songs.
“I am truly humbled and honored to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen. The iconic original film means so much to me personally, and I look forward to creating an original movie musical that can bring Mary Poppins, and her message that childlike wonder can be found in even the most challenging of times, to a whole new generation,” says Marshall.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to Mary Poppins Returns?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
