As Disney announced its planned remake of 'Mary Poppins', it was not met with an overwhelming expression of support. Many fans and critics have taken to the Internet to express either excitement or doubts. Speculations of actresses that can possibly inherit the shoes from Julie Andrews have also started, with Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt in the frontlines of discussions.
According to Arts Beat, Disney's new ''Mary Poppins'' film can be "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" or it can be "quite atrocious." The planned film evoked both cynical and optimistic reactions to it. One comment read, "Outrage Watch: This ''Mary Poppins'' sequel is going down like a spoonful of lead." Another mentioned 'Mary Poppins' creators P.L. Travers possible disapproval had she been alive. Travers had a famously feisty relationship with Disney, as the studio chronicled in its own film "Saving Mr. Banks" in 2013.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were positive comments "The 'practically perfect' Rob Marshall will direct new 'Mary Poppins' movie," one comment read. Marshall was behind 'Chicago','Into the Woods' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'. Entertainment sites have also started to speculate who will be 'Mary Poppins', and Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt seemed to be favorite suggestions.
Cinema Blend has reported Anne Hathaway's reaction to her possible casting as 'Mary Poppins'. Hathaway insisted that Blunt would be much better in it than her, saying that "doesn't stand a chance against her." The actress has explained that Blunt, just like the original 'Mary Poppins', Julie Andrews, is British. Meanwhile, Robert De Niro is all for Hathaway to star in the reboot.
Certainly, reincarnating the magical and cranky British nanny is no easy task. But, here's the big question, who would be the perfect new incarnation of 'Mary Poppins'? Blunt is one of the most brilliant actresses in Hollywood and has impressed audiences in Into the Woods. On the other hand Hathaway's Les Miserable won her an Academy Award For Best Supporting Actress. If either of the actresses are cast, hopefully, they can live up to the brilliance of the original.
Vanity Fair reported that the 'Mary Poppins' movie will be set in 20 years after the events of the original movie, bring it to the Depression-era London, two decades after the events in the original film. However, it is not a sequel and will explore 'Mary Poppins'' further adventures with the Banks family and beyond as told by Travers' seven additional novels. The script will be written by David Magee, who penned 'Finding Neverland' and 'Life of Pi'
New songs and score will also be made for the 'Mary Poppins', courtesy of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash). Apparently, Disney and Marshall are already in collaboration with the Travers estate.Poppins' co-composer Richard Sherman,who penned the original film's songs 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' and 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' with his late brother, Robert, has also given his approval.
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