First Batch Of Images And Concept Art From Mary Poppins Returns

Following the enormous success that was the live-action Beauty and the Beast, Disney is offering an updated sequel to the classic Mary Poppins which starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. This time around, the magical nanny will be played by Emily Blunt, and we have an official first look at the movie thanks to Entertainment Weekly.

Image Source: Entertainment Weekly

We also get some more details on the story. Here's the synopsis:

Mary Poppins Returns, directed by Rob Marshall (Into the Woods), picks up 25 years after the events of the first film, fast-forwarding to London's mid-1930s economic slump, the actual time period of Travers' books. Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane has become the warm, loving home that banker and artist Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) shares with his wife and three children. But after the sudden death of Michael's wife, the Banks family is shattered — even enthusiastic aunt Jane (Emily Mortimer), now a fervent union organizer, and long-time housemaid Ellen (Julie Walters) can't help lift spirits — and so in time, the once-blossoming home is on the verge of foreclosure.

Cue the arrival of prim and peculiar Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt), who leads Michael's wayward children (and Jane and Michael themselves) on a series of unbelievable adventures — to the top of Big Ben, the bottom of the ocean, into magical encounters with animated dancing penguins and upside-down cousins (hey, Meryl Streep!). If anyone can help this family find the light they've lost, it's Mary Poppins.

I'm actually very pleased that Disney is making this a sequel and not an outright remake. With the long list of live-action adaptations they have on the list, audience members still want something fresh from Disney. I think they've made a perfect choice in having Blunt and Miranda take on the roles of Andrews and Van Dyke. I hope they all do a stellar job.

Mary Poppins Returns is directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods) and is set to come out Dec. 25 next year.

See Also: Watch James Corden And Ben Kingsley Bring Mary Poppins To Crosswalk Musical