Emily Blunt & Lin-Manuel Miranda Both Understand the Gravity of Their 'Mary Poppins Returns' Roles
Following in the footsteps of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke is no small task, but there may be no better duo up for the challenge than Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The two have been tasked with bringing to life a new iteration of P. L. Travers' iconic character "Mary Poppins." And while the pressure is both intangible through the lens of history and immediate via the expectation of box office performance, these two actors have risen to the occasion and proven they are the most suited for the job.
Disney was kind enough to have Moviefone on set at Pinewood Studios in London during the filming of "Mary Poppins Returns," where we were given some time with the two leads. Their perspective and opinion on their craft was enlightening, yet grounded within a realism that will only heighten their performances.
Lin-Manuel displayed a boyish charm despite rocking a touch of stubble while chatting with the press. Casually posed with one leg crossed over the other, Miranda opined about how he never had the "audacity" to dream of being in a Mary Poppins sequel, let alone as one of the focal points of the film. Working with director Rob Marshall was an additionally outlandish dream, as Miranda is a huge fan of his Oscar winning film "Chicago."
Emily Blunt's appearance before the press, while semi-brief, gave a wonderful snapshot into the effort she's putting into the role. Dressed in full Poppins regalia, the tired yet personable Blunt aimed to emphasize that there truly is only one Julie Andrews, and that the honor of being bestowed the Mary Poppins also is credited to Marshall, who "fell in love with her" while working on "Into the Woods."
Despite the lofty expectations, all signs point to this movie being filled to the brim with exciting performances and joy for all ages.
Be sure to check out the film when it hits theaters December 19th.