Production for "Mary Poppins Returns" has officially begun in London. The film's main cast as well as its plot synopsis have since been released by Disney, further confirming it as a sequel to the 1964 classic that starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
Actress Emily Blunt will now step into the role of Mary Poppins. Michael and Jane, the young children from the original film, are now adults and will be played by Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer respectively, Collider reported.
While Poppins was accompanied by her friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke) in the original film, she will now be journeying with a street lamplighter known as Jack. This new character will be played by "Hamilton" star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Julie Walters, Colin Firth and multiple Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep are also confirmed for the sequel. Walters will play Michael's housekeeper, Ellen. Firth is billed to portray William Weatherall Wilkins, who now runs the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. Streep will play Poppins' eccentric cousin known as Topsy.
Actor dick Van Dyke is also set to return, more than decades after appearing in the original film. He will portray Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of the bank that Wilkins now manages. Van Dyke also played Mr. Dawes Sr. in the first movie.
Rob Marshall will be directing the film based on a script by "Life of Pi" scribe David Magee, Slash Film reported. "Hairspray" alumni Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman will work on the film's songs and score.
The plot for the film reveals it will be set twenty years after the original, during the 1930s in a Depression-era London. Michael Banks now has three children of his own. Poppins finally returns after a tragedy occurs and leaves the Banks family in distraught.
"Mary Poppins Returns" releases on Dec. 25, 2018. The trailer for the 1964 original can be viewed below: