We’ve been promised a Mary Poppins sequel, and children, it’s really happening.
We truly live in a magical time. All of our childhood favorites are being revisited, restored or rebooted in ways that don’t denigrate the originals, but give them new life. We don’t just get a Ghostbusters reboot, but we get a female one with an incredible story and fantastic actors. We don’t get lazy Star Wars prequels, but fully realized new stories that complete the tapestry of the galaxy far, far away. We don’t just get a show that reminds us what it’s like to be scared watching E.T. and The Goonies, but we get to binge watch good storytelling nostalgia in its purest form on Netflix.
Not every franchise gets it completely right. Not every reboot or sequel is going to make us sigh and swoon. But Mary Poppins Returns – looks like it just might.
Breaking Down the Mary Poppins Returns Trailer
Yes, that’s No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane looking so forlorn and lonely.
The original book, Mary Poppins Returns, takes place just a few years after Mary leaves the Banks, and they aren’t quite as grown up or down-and-out as they seem in this sequel.
Yes, that’s THE KITE in a box of rubbish on the curb.
The movie will take place in the depression era, and I’m already depressed.
Yes, that Lin-Manuel Miranda on a big, old-timey bike.
I have rarely been more excited to see someone cast in a movie musical as I am about Lin as Jack, the streetlamp lighter. His character isn’t in the book, but he’s the archetype of Dick Van Dyke’s classic Burt, and no doubt will be as iconic, in his own way.
Lin-Manuel Miranda stars as Jack who jumps in to help Georgie Banks (Joel Dawson) in Disney’s original musical MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically-perfect nanny and the Banks family.
Yes, that looks like an old Mr Banks on that bench, getting his hat knocked off.
But I think it’s just an homage. According to the official movie summary, the Banks children (now grown up) have just suffered a great loss, and I have a feeling their parents are both gone. GIVE ME BACK GLYNIS JOHNS; SHE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER.
Yes, there are three children in this story.
Michael’s children. I don’t know why Jane is the childless one, but I’m hoping she joined the suffragette movement with her mother and lives happily with a very beautiful lady friend.
Yes, Mary Poppins Returns on a kite string, just like in the book.
Why didn’t they just use the title Mary Poppins Comes Back?
Jane. And. Michael. Banks.
I LOVE Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw, as the voice of Paddington, is therefore the King of Perfect Whimsy for always.
Emily Blunt is a treasure.
Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to the Banks’ home in Disney’s original musical, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically perfect nanny and the Banks family.
This is a great teaser. It gives us just enough of the music, the tone, the cinematography and the cast of the movie to whet our appetites for more, and keep fears at bay. Everyone looks good! The music sounds a little bit chilling and little bit whimsical – like Mary herself!
The rest of the cast includes Meryl Streep (Topsy) and Angela Lansbury (Balloon Lady) and Dick Van Dyke too, reprising his role as Mr. Dawes. I’m glad they are using the Topsy Turvey storyline, and the balloon scene – memorable ones from the second book in P.L. Travers’ series.
What will the music be like? I don’t hate this score, but I also don’t love the credits from the writing team, so we will see. Emily doesn’t have the strongest voice in Into the Woods, so I’m not expecting Julie Andrews level amazingness. And speaking of, if there is a role for Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury … how is there not a spot for Julie Andrews, Queen of All The Things I Love? Can we dare hope for a super secret cameo that’s more than just a cameo?
The original Mary Poppins was the only live-action Disney film that I loved growing up, and the books were favorites that paved the way for Amelia Bedelia and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. (We were obsessed with weird nannies in the 80s.) But the truth is: Mary Poppins as a character is bizarre. The source of her magic is never revealed. She never admits that strange things occur around her. She gets angry when someone suggests she is odd, but she doesn’t care at all when other characters berate the children. She’s highly self-absorbed and never apologizes. Walt Disney pulled those eccentricities together to form a complete picture of a woman working behind the scenes to affect real, lasting change in the children’s lives and in their father, even while she stands out and allows herself to be recognized for other, less important, reasons. Much of that was due to the fantastic music and the perfect performances in the original. Will this one be able to do the same?
What are you looking forward to the most in Mary Poppins Returns?
image sources: Walt Disney Studios Publicity
