Emily Blunt in talks to play Mary Poppins in Shaiman-Wittman composed film

[Scarywarhol]

Well, we called it!

And I think it's wonderful. 

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/emily-blunt-mary-poppins-disney-reboot-1201708706/

[Jshan05]

This is great news! I'm worried she'll turn it down due to having her second child, but hopefully that won't play TOO much into her decision!

[CindersGolightly]

I think she's the Mary Poppins we need and deserve. Good for her. Hope she's able to do it!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

I wonder what Grace Randolph's thoughts will be as she thinks Blunt is 'box office poison'.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

She would be wonderful in this. Hoping that it comes through!

[BeadleDeedle]

She's perfect for it. One of the most versatile and talented actors working in mainstream film. Not thrilled about Shaiman and Wittman's involvement here though. Their material never really goes beyond the surface level for me.

[best12bars]

Have Shaiman and Whitman ever attempted a pastiche score from that era? The Sherman brothers score was very much in the "music hall" vein. This one will be depression-era. I would have thought Alan Menken or even the Grey Gardens team would have been a more logical fit. Still, Shaiman and Whitman are talented I'm excited to see what they will do.

 

As for Blunt, she has such a winning and warm screen personality. She can play "dry" very well, also.

 

Julie Andrews brilliant performance will be a tough comparison. But Julie's big secret approach was to play the opposite emotion in any given situation. When everyone around her was sad, she was happy. When everyone around her was happy, she was quiet and pensive. When they were excited or scared, she was cool as a cucumber, and when they were cool, she was angry or irritated. It made her Mary a mystery. You couldn't quite tell what she was thinking or feeling. She kept us guessing through the whole film, and that's what worked so well. She never settled into the character or into a single trait.

 

I hope Emily Blunt uses the same approach! (not to copy Julie, but to surprise us with unexpected reactions to everything)

[Scarywarhol]

The fact that this not a remake, or an explicit reboot, but another story using more of the source material, makes me very open to it. While we haven't seen Shaiman and Wittman work in the music hall mode of the original, I think they have shown a knack for the kind of direct, sincere, humorous, earworm songs that the Sherman Brothers built most of their career on. 

[Ranger Tom]

Love the idea!

[BobbyBubbi]

Rob Marshall though . . . 

 

[Scarywarhol]

Best12, as often, I think you get to why that film and that performance works in an articulate way. I think that playing of the opposite is true in many scenes. 

[Call_me_jorge]

I don't understand why they can't just use the music from the stage adaption. 

[CindersGolightly]

...Because it's a continuation of the story...?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Love Rob Marshall, love Blunt, can't wait for this. It's risky and has various challenges, but I think Blunt is such a great choice and I thought Marshall's treatment of INTO THE WOODS (and obviously CHICAGO) was simply stellar, with Blunt proving to be an inspired choice for the Baker's Wife. Very excited to see the end result.

[Eurotrash]

A few of the Charlie numbers access the musical style needed, but somehow they're jut not quite there.

[Mrtrobz]

I hope a large portion of this film includes Mrs Andrew from the books, one thing that was missing from the original was a villainous character although the film of course is perfection. I do assume that this will follow perhaps Jane Banks grown up or reboot the series in the sense that it will be a continuation with Mr and Mrs Banks set in the books universe instead of Victorian times. :)

Emily Blunt is perfect for the role and I can't wait to hear her access the soprano in her voice, she has the right warmth and sternest for the role and I absolutely cannot imagine anyone better for the part. They worked through her pregnancy in Into the Woods and they can do it again for this, it also mirrors Julie Andrews who was pregnant at the time so Disney put it on hold for her.

[Jshan05]

This is CRAZY news. What is everyone's thoughts? http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lin-Manuel-Miranda-In-Talks-to-Star-Compose-Music-for-Disneys-MARY-POPPINS-Sequel-20160224

[Scarywarhol]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lin-Manuel-Miranda-In-Talks-to-Star-Compose-Music-for-Disneys-MARY-POPPINS-Sequel-20160224

 

well, this is quite a turn of events.

 

He is sort of a Bert type. Would he do the Van Dyke accent?

[Scarywarhol]

Oops, you beat me to it

[gypsy101]

it's a different character, but I was curious about the accent when I read the article as well.

[wonkit]

It isn't the accent I would worry about. Miranda is a very talented guy but he really can't sing. I saw him at MISCAST a few years back and he didn't have any real vocal quality I could hear. 

[CindersGolightly]

Let's hope he won't be singing.

[Scarywarhol]

He has a serviceable, unique character voice. 

 

Much like Van Dyke. 

[CarlosAlberto]

CindersGolightly said: "Let's hope he won't be singing.

 

Some of you sound like Van Dyke gave a Mario Lanzo inspired singing performance in the original Poppins and that that's what is being required of Miranda. I am sure they are considering him because they have faith in his talent and (they) feel he's a good fit for what they are planning to do with this character.

 

People need to seriously chill. 

 

 

 

[CindersGolightly]

I disagree. Anyway, this is a new score and a new story, so it's not like they can't and won't write around it. Nobody is freaking out, Carlos. I was just stating my very widely shared opinion.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Van Dyke isn't much of a singer, there really isn't anything to disagree about there. He's all personality, and boy is he good at that. Miranda will be fine.