"Bridget Jones's Diary" star Colin Firth joins "The Girl on the Train" actress Emily Blunt and "Difficult People" actor Lin-Manuel Miranda in Disney's "Mary Poppins Returns." He must be kept away from the tea and crumpets.
According to Variety, Firth will play the president William Weatherall Wilkins of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank in "Mary Poppins Returns." His character is some kind of relative of Dick van Dyke's character Fred. Blunt plays the title character Mary Poppins with Miranda as a street lamplighter named Jack.
"Mary Poppins Returns" is set 25 years after the original. Michael ("Spectre" actor Ben Whishaw) and Jane Banks ("Hugo" actress Emily Mortimer) are all grown up, reunited, and suddenly get a visit from the magical nanny after Michael experiences a personal loss. The Mary Poppins role was made famous by "Tooth Fairy" veteran actress Julie Andrews in 1964, The Independent reported.
"Mary Poppins Returns" also stars "Into the Woods" veteran actress Meryl Streep as Poppins' cousin Topsy. It will be directed by Rob Marshall alongside John DeLuca and Marc Platt to executive produce. Marshall is the filmmaker who recently oversaw Disney's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods."
The screenplay of "Mary Poppins Returns" will be written by Oscar nominee David Magee. It is based on "The Mary Poppins Stories" by P.L. Travers. Marc Shaiman is composing an all-new score, and Shaiman and Scott Wittman are writing the original songs.
Firth has been busy this year with "Genius" and "Bridget Jones's Baby," which has done huge business in the UK following its September release. He is also a producer on the critically acclaimed drama "Loving."
Firth can be seen next reprising his role of Harry Hart in "Kingsman: The Golden Circle." He is represented by CAA and Independent Talent Group.
"Mary Poppins Returns" will hit theaters on Dec. 25, 2018 (Christmas Day). Its production is due to begin in London early 2017.
Watch the video of "Mary Poppins Returns" adding Colin Firth:
