MARY POPPINS, like the SOUND OF MUSIC or WIZARD OF OZ, is one of those magical, feel-good classics that follow you forever. Of course, just like anything beloved nowadays, a remake of the film is happening to remind you with a modern film just how great the old one is. Said remake has just begun filming, and with it we’ve gotten a full synopsis.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS has started production at Shepperton Studios in the U.K., and of course Emily Blunt is starring in the main role that was once occupied by Julie Andrews (in a role that won her an Oscar).
If you haven’t been paying attention to the news for this movie the rest of the cast will include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer and a jaw-dropping band of veterans including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Dick Van Dyke returning to play the son of his character from the first movie, Mr. Dawes Jr., who is a chairman of the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. Rob Marshall (CHICAGO, INTO THE WOODS) is directing the movie, but holy shit is that cast something.
Taking place 20 years after the events of the first film, the official synopsis reads as follows:
Mary Poppins Returns is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in PL Travers’ additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane (Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen (Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins (Blunt) re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack (Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Mary Poppins also introduces the children to a new assortment of colorful and whimsical characters, including her eccentric cousin, Topsy (Streep).
I can’t say we need to see another Mary Poppins, but we certainly need a story that reminds us to cheer up. The idea of the movie has its heart set in the right place, and the Christmas release of the movie will probably make it a big earner. Plus, as a musical, I can see it raking in at least some Golden Globe nominations, especially for Blunt who I think will do great in the role. Just no more dancing animated penguins. With the kinds of drugs out there now I don’t think audiences can handle that.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS is set for December 25, 2018.
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