And the new Mary Poppins is ...

YES, after more than 50 years they’re making a big-screen sequel to Mary Poppins. But who’s filling Julie Andrews’ shoes?

Emily Blunt is reportedly in talks to star as everybody’s favourite nanny, Marry Poppins, in an upcoming big-screen sequel to the classic 1964 Disney film.

The English actor, known for her roles in Into the Woods and The Devil Wears Prada, recently met with Disney studio bosses to discuss the role, according to Variety.

Emily Blunt could just be the new Mary Poppins.

It’s reported the deal is yet to be signed due to scheduling issues, which could be due to the star’s recent news that she’s expecting her second child with her actor husband John Krasinski. The original Mary Poppins film starred Julie Andrews as Poppins and Dick Van Dyke as happy-go-lucky chimney sweep Bert, and is still a much-loved family classic more than 50 years after it was released.

The new film, to be produced by John DeLuca and Marc Platt, will take place in London, 20 years after the first film and will focus on the nanny’s continued adventures with the Banks family.

Blunt certainly looks and sounds the part, having proven her vocal chops in Into The Woods. However, if she does secure the gig, it’ll be a risky move, considering the iconic Mary Poppins role is so closely associated with Dame Julie Andrews (perhaps second only to her role as Maria Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music). Generations of Mary Poppins devotees might need more than a spoonful of sugar to help this medicine go down.

Originally published as And the new Mary Poppins is ...