'Mary Poppins Returns': Julie Andrews Approves of Emily Blunt's Casting, Much to Blunt's Relief
Remaking an iconic classic masterpiece such as "Mary Poppins" is one daunting and heavy task, and deservedly so as it continues to be one of the well-loved films of all time. Given that kind of pressure, a positive nod from Julie Andrews would certainly be a huge load off one's shoulders.
Andrews, who played the effervescent and memorable Mary Poppins in 1964, told ET Online's Leanne Aguilera in an interview that she was pleased with Emily Blunt taking on the role. "Emily Blunt is going to play Mary Poppins and I am a great fan. I think she is terrific and a perfect pick," she says with glee.
She also confirms that the movie is not a remake, but rather a continuation of the story, making the upcoming film an original. "It is making all the rest of the stories that Walt Disney had stored in his vaults and now they have made a completely new Mary Poppins story," she explains.
Apparently, this wasn't the first time that Andrews expressed her approval of Blunt's casting. Entertainment Weekly has learned that "Mary Poppins Returns" director, Rob Marshall, was able to speak with Andrews in the Hamptons. When he revealed to her that Blunt was taking on her role in the sequel, she immediately exclaimed in joy and said, "Oh, wonderful!"
How did Blunt take this graceful comment? She was very happy about it and it has certainly made playing the role a lot easier.
"I felt like I wanted to cry," Blunt said. "It was lovely to get her stamp of approval. That took the edge off it, for sure," she continued.
The film's synopsis takes audiences into a time when now-grown Jane and Michael Banks are visited by Mary Poppins, seeing them as apathetic and joyless due to a personal loss. It will be very interesting how she'll be turning those frowns upside-down.
"Mary Poppins Returns" is set to arrive in the most delightful way on Dec. 25, 2018.
