If Mary Poppins ever aged we might be talking about Meryl Streep as a perfect fit for the role, but instead she'll be playing a different character in Disney's Mary Poppins Returns. Variety reports Streep is in talks to play Topsy, a cousin of the magical nanny who was not mentioned anywhere in the 1964 film but may be based on Topsy Tartlet, who is in author P.L. Travers' sequel book, Mary Poppins Come Back.
Emily Blunt is set to play Poppins, joined by Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and director Rob Marshall. Streep, Blunt, and Marshall worked together on Disney's adaptation of Into the Woods, and like in that film the 3-time Oscar winner will be called upon to sing. The story, pulled from all of Travers' books, takes place in Depression era London and follows the now-grown Jane and Michael Banks as they are visited by Poppins in the wake of a personal tragedy. Lin-Manuel will be a new character, Jack, a lamplighter and friend to Poppins who helps the Banks family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
Mary Poppins Returns opens December 25th 2018.
