Posted in: Disney, Movies | Tagged: disney, film, HRL, Mary Poppins Returns

'Mary Poppins Returns' Is Practically Perfect In Every Way

We're in the age of the "late in life" sequel, and this is one that seemed untouchable. Mary Poppins is a legendary picture that cemented the careers of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and smashed records all over the place. It's been 50 years since the debut of the Disney classic, and now it's time to bring that character to a new generation with Mary Poppins Returns, due out December of 2018. Entertainment Weekly has a first look at the movie and its all-star cast.

"The bar is so high for this," says Director Rob Marshall. "But to be able to walk in the footsteps of this beautiful story about a woman who brings magic to this family that's looking for wonder and hope and joy in their lives… I feel a great responsibility and reverence every day. We all feel it. We're just lifting it up to get there with the right intentions behind it."

There is respect for the source material that runs all the way through the production. From stars like Blunt getting Julie Andrews blessing, to Tony-winning composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman creating a score remnant of the original, to costume designers Sandy Powell and her team as they brought Mary Poppins into the new 1930's era — it was important to keep the spirit of the original production. Marshall continued:

"Dick Van Dyke said that the thing he remembers the most about doing the original film was the spirit, and he said, 'It's exactly the same spirit here.' He was right here on Cherry Tree Lane and he said, 'I feel like I'm home.'"

Van Dyke was on set to film a very secret cameo (though not as Bert) and offer his approval, but Andrews meant a lot to the entire creative team, too. They know how important it is to get this right, and they're working hard to make sure it is. If nothing else, the images look like they have caught the aesthetic of the original movie perfectly.

Mary Poppins Returns picks up 25 years after the events of the first film, fast-forwarding to London's mid-1930s economic slump. Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane has become the warm, loving home that banker and artist Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) shares with his wife and three children. But after the sudden death of Michael's wife, the Banks family is shattered — even enthusiastic aunt Jane (Emily Mortimer), now a fervent union organizer, and long-time housemaid Ellen (Julie Walters) can't help lift spirits — and so in time, the once-blossoming home is on the verge of foreclosure.

Cue the arrival of prim and peculiar Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt), who leads Michael's wayward children (and Jane and Michael themselves) on a series of unbelievable adventures — to the top of Big Ben, the bottom of the ocean, into magical encounters with animated dancing penguins and upside-down cousins (hey, Meryl Streep!). If anyone can help this family find the light they've lost, it's Mary Poppins.

Practically perfect in every way.

Mary Poppins Returns flies into our lives on December 25th, 2018.

Light The Way
Concept art of Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) on the London embankment at night

Pavement Artist
Concept art of the abandoned park favored by Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and the leeries, his band of streetwise lamplighters

The Right Note
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Blunt, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, Joel Dawson, and Meryl Streep rehearse at the piano with composer Marc Shaiman (who wrote an all-new score with Scott Wittman)

Step in Line
Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and his band of lamplighters light the way to Cherry Tree Lane for Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) and the Banks children (Nathanael Saleh, Joel Dawson, and Pixie Davies)

Making Magic
Director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca on the London set of Mary Poppins Returns

The Perfect Nanny
Grown-up Jane (Emily Mortimer) and Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw), plus Michael's sons Georgie (Joel Dawson) and John (Nathanael Saleh), welcome Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt).

Welcome Home
Concept art of the re-imagined (though still cheerfully familiar) Cherry Tree Lane in the springtime

Up to the Highest
Jack the lamplighter (Lin-Manuel Miranda) leads the three Banks children — Annabel (Pixie Davies), Georgie (Joel Dawson), and John (Nathanael Saleh) — and Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) through the streets of London in the big musical number, "Trip a Little Light Fantastic."

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