Production for Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns has begun. Directed by Rob Marshall (Into The Woods), the sequel to the 1964 musical will see the return of the title character (now played by Emily Blunt) as she re-enters the lives of the Banks’ children, who are now older, after Michael (Ben Whishaw) suffers a personal loss. With the help of the optimistic street lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), she will us “her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.” Find out more about the film, the cast, and its plot in the full story here below.

In addition to Blunt, Miranda, and Whishaw, the film will also star Emily Mortimer (Hugo) as Jane Banks, with Julie Walters (Harry Potter film franchise) playing Ellen, a housekeeper. In addition, Dick Van Dyke plays Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, which is now run by William Weatherall Wilkins, played by Colin Firth. Meryl Streep (Florance Foster Jenkins) will play Poppins’ eccentric cousin, Topsy.

The film is written by Life of Pi scribe David Magee, who will use the wealth of material written by PL Travers to pen the sequel.

Oscar nominee and Tony winner Marc Shaiman (Hairspray) and Emmy nominee and Tony winner Scott Wittman (Hairspray) are writing all new songs with Shaiman composing an original score. Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell (Shakespeare In Love), Oscar-winning set decorator Gordon Sim (Chicago); Oscar-winning production sound mixer Simon Hayes (Les Misérables); and Emmy® nominated editor Wyatt Smith (Doctor Strange, Into the Woods) will round out the rest of the production crew.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

Mary Poppins Returns opens in theaters on December 25, 2018.

[Source: Disney]