Meryl Streep in Talks to Join Disney’s Mary Poppins Sequel
Photo by Ian Gavan/GettyDisney’s forthcoming Mary Poppins sequel just hit blockbuster status. The Queen of The Gold Statue, Meryl Streep herself, is in talks for a lead role in the film, titled Mary Poppins Returns.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the role in question for Streep is that of a character named Topsy, Mary Poppins’ cousin. Emily Blunt was previously announced as the new Mary Poppins, and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will play a lamplighter named Jack.
Mary Poppins Returns, set in Depression-era London, will reunite us with now-grown Jane and Michael, the latter of which has children of his own and is coping with loss. As Jane comes to her brother’s aid, not far behind her is their beloved old nanny, Mary Poppins (and presumably her cousin, Topsy), equipped with however many spoonfuls of sugar it takes to restore the joy in Michael’s family.
Rob Marshall, who previously directed both Streep and Blunt in 2014’s acclaimed Into The Woods, is directing, with Dave Magee (Finding Neverland, Life of Pi) writing the script. Mary Poppins Returns is tentatively set for a Christmas 2018 release.