It’s been more than 50 years since we last saw Mary Poppins, flying off on the wind with her magic umbrella. But now she is back in the appropriately titled Mary Poppins Returns, with Emily Blunt assuming the title role from Julie Andrews, and Lin-Manuel Miranda in place of Dick Van Dyke (he’s not playing the same character, but we’re guessing he’s gonna sweep a chimney or two)...
When a Hollywood studio decides to make a sequel to a much-beloved classic decades after its initial release, the overwhelming response is usually skepticism. It’s a testament to the incredible cast that Disney has assembled for Mary Poppins Returns, then, that most of the buzz around the film has been overwhelming excitement. From Emily Blunt’s Julie Andrews doppelgänger to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s chimney sweep - pretty much the part he was born to play, right? - Mary Poppins Returns is the exception that proves the rule, an unnecessary sequel that nevertheless melts away all skepticism.
With all the excitement over Mary Poppins Returns brewing lately, a lot of fans have been wondering if the O.G. Poppins, Julie Andrews, will be making a cameo appearance. As it turns out, Andrews is in full support of the sequel, but she won’t be in it, and she has a very good reason why.