Disney developing a new Mary Poppins movie musical

Mary Poppins and her magic umbrella will soon sail back onto screens. Disney is set to make a new Mary Poppins film, over half a century after the strict, yet much-loved, nanny first appeared on the silver screen.

Mary Poppins sailing in on her black umbrella

Mary Poppins, the celebrated movie character will make her return in a live-action musical. Set in London during the Depression some 20 years after the first movie was set, the new film will take as-yet unadapted stories from P. L. Traver’s children’s books where the character originated. However, the film will not be a sequel.

Julie Andrews at “An Evening with Julie Andrews” media conference at Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia - 16th May 2013

The original film in 1964 starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in the story of a nanny who came to work for a banker’s unhappy family in pre-World War I England. A huge hit with both audiences and critics, the original film grossed $100million and won five Oscars, thanks to its ground-breaking use of live action and animation, and infectious score.

A scene from the musical Hairspray, here performed by college students

The details of who will take on the iconic role of Mary Poppins are yet to be revealed. However, the chosen actress certainly has big shoes to fill, as Julie Andrews earned an Oscar for her depiction as the magical, singing nurse. Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (who composed material for Hairspray and Smash) will write new songs and a score.

Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins

Disney has reaped rewards recently by turning their classic animated movies like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Cinderella” into live action hits, and is now turning its attention to classic live-action films.

(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)