Mary Poppins Returns would not be much of a Mary Poppins follow-up without any of the musical numbers. So composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman and co-lyricist Scott Wittman will bring back the spirit of the Sherman Brothers through new music in the highly anticipated sequel to the 1964 film.

In the new film, we see Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) return to help the Banks family, who is about to be evicted from their home. She brings back the light that is lost and reminds the family about all of the joys and happiness that can be found in imagination and seeing things from a different point of view. And most of that is through song.

We joined our fellow journalists at a press conference in Los Angeles to talk to Shaiman and Wittman about writing the songs and music heard in Mary Poppins Returns. Like everyone else involved, the original film was in their DNA, so getting a chance to be a part of something so beloved was a dream come true. But they also recognized the responsibility of paying respects to the sequel’s predecessor and how many hold it in high regard. They also shared their thoughts on working with screenwriter David McGee and director Rob Marshall. More on that and what their thoughts on Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in our coverage of the press conference here below.

Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns takes place 25 years after the original film, although it has been 54 years since the first film was released. As such, you may notice some contemporary differences infused with the new film’s DNA. Most notably, more people of color and some modern-day hip-hop in the music. These are just some of the small details that blend in the new with the old. More so, the sequel brings in some of today’s biggest stars in place of some of the original cast.

One of those biggest additions is Lin-Manuel Miranda, who plays Jack, a lamplighter and one of Bert’s proteges. In the film, he helps out Mary Poppins, the self-appointed nanny of the Banks family. While he may not be as magical as the title character, he shares that same child-like wonder and sense of hope whenever he is around Mary, all the while breaking out into song and dance.

We had a chance recently to sit down with our fellow journalists to talk to the cast and crew of Mary Poppins Returns. There, Miranda talked about what it was like to get the call to be in the film and how the sequel isn’t the first time you hear rapping in a Mary Poppins film. Check out what he had to say here below.

Mary Poppins Returns
Director: Rob Marshall
Writers: David Magee
Cast: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | 129 Minutes
Release Date: December 19, 2018

The idea of continuing the story of Mary Poppins may seem absurd at first. After all, it has been 54 years since the original film, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, was released. And now, Disney has released a sequel,
Mary Poppins Returns. Of course, there are new younger stars to appear to take over some of the previous roles left behind by the cast of the first film. But that doesn’t mean much has changed. Emily Blunt carries on the spirit of the eponymous character, played originally by Andrews, and makes it her own. Additionally, Lin-Manuel Miranda is a pure joy to watch as his eyes light up with child-like wonder when Poppins returns.

You’d be hard-pressed not to smile at anything from Mary Poppins Returns, including this new special look video Disney has released. Every new look continues to exude a sense of joy and delight. Though it has been decades since the first film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke hit theaters, the sequel looks like it will carry on its legacy.

This time, Emily Blunt stars in the title role and will care for the Banks family once more when their family has run into a bit of trouble again. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson also star. And you know how much fun that will be when he’s inserted into something like this. Check out the special look below.

Disney has released the newest trailer for Rob Marshall‘s Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt as the title character who returns to help the Banks’ family in their time of need. The film is a follow-up to the 1964 original which was released almost 54 years ago. And if you thought that production for that was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, wait until you see this new trailer.