Just weeks afterproduction beganon Disney’s highly-anticipatedMary Poppins Returns, the studio has released the first photo of Golden Globe winnerEmily Bluntas Mary Poppins in this all new sequel to Disney’s 1964 filmMary Poppins. The first look photo showsEmily Bluntin full costume, although her face is obscured by her large hat. It remains to be seen if the studio plans on releasing more images with the rest of this diverse and talented cast, while filming continues.
Directed and produced byRob Marshall,Mary Poppins Returnsalso starsLin-Manuel Miranda,Ben Whishaw,Emily MortimerandJulie WalterswithColin FirthandMeryl Streep. The film, which introduces three new Banks children, played byPixie Davies,Nathanael Salehand newcomerJoel Dawson, also featuresDick Van DykeandAngela Lansbury. The film is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material inPL Travers' additional seven books. In the story, Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen (Julie Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane.
After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimisticstreet lamplighter Jack(Lin-Manuel 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 (Meryl Streep). The film is produced byRob Marshall,John DeLucaandMarc Platt. The screenplay is byDavid Mageebased on TheMary Poppins StoriesbyPL TraverswithMarc ShaimanandScott Wittmanwriting all new songs andShaimancomposing an original score.
AmongMarshall’s award-winning creative team are Oscar-winning director of photographyDion Beebe, ASC ACS (Memoirs of a Geisha); two-time Oscar-winning production designerJohn Myhre(Memoirs of a Geisha,Chicago); three-time Oscar-winning costume designerSandy Powell(The Young Victoria,The Aviator,Shakespeare in Love); Oscar-winning hair and make-up designerPeter Swords King(The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King); Oscar-winning set decoratorGordon Sim(Chicago); Oscar-winning production sound mixerSimon Hayes(Les Misérables); and Emmy nominated editorWyatt Smith(Doctor Strange,Into the Woods). The film is choreographed byMarshallandDeLucawithJoey Pizzi(Chicago) serving as co-choreographer.
Mary Poppins Returnshas been given a December 25, 2018Christmas Day release date, which puts it up against an unspecified Warner Bros. event film. Opening earlier that month is Universal’sMortal Engineson December 14 and an untitled animatedSpider-Manmovie andAvatar 2on December 21. It remains to be seen how much filming remains onMary Poppins Returns, or when we may see the first trailer, but with nearly two years left until we see this new magical adventure, this new photo may have to tide fans over for quite awhile. Take a look at the new photo below, as we wait for more onDisney’s highly-anticipatedMary Poppins Returns.
