Ben Whishaw has been added to the cast of MARY POPPINS RETURNS to play another returning character.
Ben Whishaw, who played Q in the last two James Bond films (Skyfall and Spectre,) was announced by The Hollywood Reporter that he will be joining the cast of Mary Poppins Returns. Mary Poppins Returns is set as a sequel to the original Disney live-action and animated musical Mary Poppins, which starred Julie Andrews in the title role.
This time around, Emily Blunt will take over the Andrews role. Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda will play Mary’s friend, a lamplighter named Jack. Oscar winner Meryl Streep will also star in the movie as Mary Poppins’ cousin Topsy. Rob Marshall, who directed Blunt and Streep in Into the Woods, will take the reigns for Mary Poppins Returns.
Although casting is likely currently underway, Whishaw’s role has been revealed to be that of the character Michael Banks.
In the original, Michael Banks was the younger of the two unhappy Banks children that Mary Poppins helps. In Mary Poppins Returns, things are again not right with the now grown-up Michael and Jane, as well as Michael’s own children.
The screenplay for the film will be written scripted by David Magee, and will be based off P.L. Travers’ The Mary Poppins Stories. Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman will be composing a new score, and will also co-write original songs with Tony Award winner Scott Wittman.
In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.
Mary Poppins Returns is scheduled to land in theaters December 25, 2018.
(Source)
