Mary Poppins

Disney is really doubling down on its growing live-action reboot / remake empire, claiming five more release dates for its upcoming projects and officially confirming several previously reported films, including The Jungle Book 2, Maleficent 2, Tim Burton’s Dumbo and more. The studio now has a total of seven release dates set for various live-action projects, and though they have yet to formally attach specific titles to these dates, reports suggest that at least one of the new dates belongs to The Jungle Book sequel.

Casting Emily Blunt as the new Mary Poppins was one way for Disney to get fans of the original excited about this new reboot/sequel. Blunt has proved herself as both a talented singer and actor and is one of the few people who could follow in Julie Andrews’ shoes...

It wasn’t long (a few days, actually) after Disney announced plans for a new Mary Poppins movie that a rumor began circulating that the studio had their sights set on Emily Blunt to play the title role. Someone at Disney must have a pretty strong vision board because Blunt is officially in talks to play the part originated by Julie Andrews in the 1964 classic. Wishes really do come true.

Rob Marshall, director of such films as Chicago and last year’s Into the Woods, made a heroic effort during an conversation with Vulture to explain what, exactly, he intends his new Mary Poppins film to be without saying s-e-q-u-e-l.

Emily Blunt has become a highly desirable star, particularly after her role in Edge of Tomorrow, making the latest rumor about the actor hardly surprising. Disney reportedly wants Blunt to star in their new Mary Poppins movie from director Rob Marshall, who also worked with Blunt on Into the Woods. Of course they want Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins. Everyone wants Emily Blunt in everything — duh.

As they have grown rather fond of doing, Disney is looking back at one of their past hits in order to create some future success. After modern day versions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland (not to mention, upcoming versions of Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book), Disney has hired Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods) to direct a new Mary Poppins musical based on P.L. Travers’ original children’s books.