Disney doing new live action Mary Poppins musical film

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 3:31pm

Learned this from Marc Shaiman's Faceook just now:

 

"Scott & I have been holding onto this secret for a month and I can finally now post the greatest link to the greatest news I could have ever imagined. For those who saw the video I made last year when I found an original LP, you know how much this means to me. I'm too farklemted to type any more right now..."

 

EW has learned that Disney is developing a new original live-action musical film featuring the beloved magical nanny, Mary Poppins. The studio is bringing back Into the Woods director Rob Marshall and producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt, who successfully shepherded Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway tuner to the big screen for Disney last year.

 

The new Poppins film will take place in Depression-era London, some 20 years after Disney’s classic Mary Poppins, and will draw from existing Poppins tales in the rest of author P.L. Travers’ 1934-1988 children’s book series. The practically perfect 1964 screen adaptation starring Julie Andrews pulled its story primarily from the first installment in Travers’ eight-book series; the new project (which is decidedly not being developed as a sequel) will explore Mary’s further adventures with the Banks family and beyond as illustrated by Travers’ seven additional novels.

 

With Marshall helming, songwriting duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash) are on board to compose original songs and a new score; David Magee (Finding Neverland, Life of Pi) is attached to write the screenplay. 

 

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/14/disney-mary-poppins-rob-marshall

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 03:31 PM

[lizzyzigs]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:07pm

What are the rumors for casting w/re to the leading roll? 

I would think that the success or failure of this film will rely heavily on that choice and whether the actress chosen to portray Mary Poppins is able to bring the sort of magic to the part that Julie Andrews brought to the original. 

Bc its one thing to recreate the original, with many of the same songs/for more or less the same story multiple generations have now grown up with on stage. 

 

Taking a a completely different story with a new score--that is a whole other sort of beast and will need more than just the writing of PL Travers, and the affection felt for the original to sustain it. 

 

(Personally I am just praying they don't stunt cast it--Julie Andrews, in winning the Academy Award for the first MP film, and the popularity it continues to enjoy decades later, is proof that casting a relative unknown in film/television, in a leading role in a musical film (if that person is extremely talented)does not mean it won't achieve major critical and box office success). 

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 04:07 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:15pm

I believe Emily Blunt has been heavily rumored to star in this for a few weeks now. I can't imagine anyone else doing the role justice, and she was glorious in Marshall's INTO THE WOODS.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:19pm

Blunt even favors Andrews's look in that movie, especially with the wig and makeup. Not that they'll use the same look.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:26pm

I'd like someone who can sing more. 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:34pm

Like lizzyzigs said, get a Broadway actress and make her a star! People will come no matter what so might as well take a gamble on someone new and talented.

[mcjeppy]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:35pm

I'd love to see Laura Michelle Kelly--even though I know they'll go for a celebrity. Making new Mary Poppins without Julie just doesn't seem right...

[gypsy101]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:39pm

Wow I know Disney is on their grind remaking everything they've ever done, but I did not expect this. This doesn't seem like something Marshall would ever do, so I'm shocked (although I'm sure they are paying him very handsomely). And a new score by Whitman & Shaiman? Wow. A non-animated musical with an original score is quite the rarity these days (I can't think of one from the last several decades that was successful, just off the top of my head). I hope this goes well.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:42pm

After not quite entirely screwing up INTO THE WOODS, Marshall will, I am sure, return to his vile ways with this sure-to-suck travesty.  To be avoided at all costs.  By me, at least.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:49pm

P.L. Travers would NOT be happy about this.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 4:51pm

"I would think that the success or failure of this film will rely heavily on that choice and whether the actress chosen to portray Mary Poppins is able to bring the sort of magic to the part that Julie Andrews brought to the original."

 

With the way their adaptations have been going it might not be a concern. I wouldn't be surprised if this Mary Poppins was darker (original source material) and more feminist (playing up the suffragette angle and Mary's independence). Though having Shaiman and Whitman on board does suggest a lighter movie musical like the original.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 5:51pm

Will the character of Mary Poppins be in the film? Why bother doing this film if Julie Andrews isn't Mary? Her performance is iconic.  This is just gross. Come on Disney....

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 05:51 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:04pm

Can Cate Blanchett sing? 

[Sunny11]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:07pm

lizzyzigs said: 

(Personally I am just praying they don't stunt cast it--Julie Andrews, in winning the Academy Award for the first MP film, and the popularity it continues to enjoy decades later, is proof that casting a relative unknown in film/television, in a leading role in a musical film (if that person is extremely talented)does not mean it won't achieve major critical and box office success). 

 

Julie Andrews already had an Emmy nomination for a TV musical of Cinderella and had several other TV credits prior to her casting in Mary Poppins. While she wasn't an A lister she wasn't an unknown to mainstream audiences either at that time. Cinderella had over 100 million live viewers in 1957. 

 

"

 

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 06:07 PM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:14pm

^Though she was still turned down for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady.

[jpbran]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:23pm

[Gorlois]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:36pm

Mary Poppins is my movie, like Wizard of Oz is for other people. Julie is my Judy, Bert is my Scarecrow, the Sherman Brothers' music is a personal philosophy for me. It's important. Don't screw it up, Disney.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 6:47pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "^Though she was still turned down for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady.

But I wouldn't call her casting in Mary Poppins an example of making an unknown a star like say Edward Norton in Primal Fear, it build on some pre existing notoriety. 

 

[Mrtrobz]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 8:38pm

 I'd rather have an adaption of the musical as it encompasses all the books and still has the beloved heart of the original film. Having said that Emily Blunt is pretty much a shoe-in.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 8:45pm

So YouTuber Grace Randolph did a video revealing her thoughts on the subject...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PORVNJIKZ84

 

And what do you guys think of her reaction? Because I really hate Grace Randolph for a number of reasons:

1. She Overreacts

2. She Gets Her Facts Wrong

3. She Mispronounces Names

4. She Trashes Good Movies

5. She Praises SH*T Movies

6. She ignores her viewers comments

7. She forgets a lot

8. Her logic makes no sense at all

9. She gets her facts all mixed up

10. She doesn't do enough research

11. She barely gives reason behind her opinions

12. She doesn't give second chances

13. She's Irresponsible

14. She doesn't give too much details about herself

15. She has stupid ideas

16. She's a lousy speaker

17. She speaks way too much for herself

18. SHE'S A MOTHERF*CKING IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 8:57pm

I don't think "remake" is applicable in this situation. Though the PR says it's not being developed as a sequel (whatever that means?) that seems to be closer to reality. Hopefully it's not in the vein of other Disney sequels though!

[Mrtrobz]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 9:05pm

It's a  "reboot", basically a more book accurate retelling of the original set in a different time period most likely featuring the Miss Andrew plot, Jane and Michael will still be children despite a twenty year age gap. Think of a more alternative timeline version.

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 09:05 PM

[Showface]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 9:13pm

"

14. She doesn't give too much details about herself

15. She has stupid ideas

16. She's a lousy speaker

17. She speaks way too much for herself

18. SHE'S A MOTHERF*CKING IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

Ok...chill

I don't think there is anything wrong with not revealing information about yourself to millions of people online, and she has her right to her opinions, hence "speaking for herself"

 

 

Now...as for the film itself...I have heard rumors  about it, and those rumoring Emily Blunt for the leading role...if this film is getting made, then Emily Blunt seems to be the best bet, or maybe Anne Hathaway.

 

But, here's the thing...Mary Poppins is such an important film to me for so many different reasons...so I'm VERY mixed about this, because I like the creative team, but even then...is it worth it? 

I would have been fine with Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but this? I'm not sure.

I'll see it anyway, and I'm HOPING for the best...this will be, however, one of the films that I will nitpick to the extremes.

 

Updated On: 9/14/15 at 09:13 PM

[Mrtrobz]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 9:26pm

There's just so many iconic moments that they could mess up in this film and the score HAS to be up to par, there is no room for anything about this to be lacklustre I am very anxious about this but I can't judge it based on the fact I haven't seen it. There's so many elements and characters from the books to love that could work so well but there's also so many ways this could fail horribly. 

PL Travers is definitely rolling in her grave right now but I hope this is a labour of love and they respect the original. Also it would be nice to have Julie and Dick cameos.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/14/15 at 9:31pm

Why can't they just a film of the stage show?!!