You didn't think a movie like Mary Poppins Returns was going to happen without Colin Firth, did you? If it's even marginally English and family-friendly he's going to be around somewhere. He very nearly voiced Paddington Bear, remember? Variety reports Firth is in the late stages of negotiations for a role as the bank manager with the most alliterative name ever.
Firth will play William Weatherall Wilkins in the sequel to P.L. Travers's classic novel and film. Wilkins was the President of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, which used to employ Mr. Banks. Wilkins and the other stodgy old bank employees even sang a song to the two young Banks kids while trying to convince their old man to invest. It went over as well as you would think a song about saving money should go.
Emily Blunt is playing the magical nanny with Lin-Manuel Miranda as her lamplighter friend, Jack. Together they seek to help the grown-up Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) after a recent tragedy. Meryl Streep also has a role as the Topsy, Mary Poppins' cousin.
Directed by Rob Marshall, Mary Poppins Returns opens Christmas Day 2018.
