Mary Poppins Returns is loading up on star power. The upcoming musical sequel, which will be directed by Rob Marshall (Into the Woods), stars Emily Blunt as the eponymous caretaker and co-stars Lin-Manuel Miranda. Now Variety reports that Marshall and Blunt will be reteaming with their Into the Woods star Meryl Streep.
According to Variety, Streep is said to play the role of Poppins’ cousin, Topsy, who wasn’t in the original 1964 adaptation. In this new version, “the story will take place in Depression-era London (when the books were originally written) and follows a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, who, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins (Blunt) following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack (Miranda), she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.”
Steep, like Blunt and Miranda, will also sing for the movie, which will feature a new score by Marc Shaiman (Hairspray) and co-writer Scott Wittman. David Magee (Finding Neverland) wrote the screenplay.
It will be interesting to see who else joins this cast. The prospect of getting to work with talent like Blunt, Streep, and Miranda must be enticing, and I’m eager to see who else comes on board.
Steep will next be seen in theaters next month in Florence Foster Jenkins.
