Emily Blunt in talks to play Mary Poppins

Emily Blunt is in talks to star in Disney's sequel to “Mary Poppins”, with Rob Marshall set to direct. John DeLuca and Marc Platt will serve as producers on the film. Sources say Blunt has always been the favourite since all four worked together on “Into the Woods”. With Disney looking to get the film into production soon, the studio recently met with the actress to discuss the idea of playing the magical nanny.

The deal is not yet set in stone due to scheduling. News recently broke that Blunt is expecting her second child, and that may play into her decision.

Insiders confirm the new film will take place in Depression-era London 20 years after the first film and will take story lines from PL Travers' children books focusing on Poppins' continued adventures with the Banks family. The original 1964 film 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. The film was a huge hit, grossing $100 million at the box office, and earned five Oscars, including one for Andrews as best actress.

Blunt has shown her range in comedies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Five Year Engagement”, action-heavy pics like “Sicario” and “Edge of Tomorrow” and adult dramas like the upcoming “The Girl on the Train”. She can be seen next in “The Huntsman: Winter's War.”

Source: Variety