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Emily Blunt 'In Talks For Mary Poppins Role', As Disney Plan Sequel To Oscar-Winning Family Favourite

Looks Like The New Mary Poppins Has Been Cast...
Caroline Frost
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It looks like Mary Poppins' Disney bosses have finally chosen the actress to be tasked with bringing the much-loved nanny back to screen, and the good news is... she's a Brit.

Variety reports that the 'Sicario' and 'The Young Victoria' star Emily Blunt is in advanced talks with Disney to reprise the role made so beloved by Julie Andrews.

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Emily Blunt is in the pipeline to play Mary Poppins, Variety have reported

According to the film industry magazine, 'Chicago' director Rob Marshall will be helming the project, although scheduling is still to be firmed up, following the news that Emily is expecting her second child.

Variety also reports that producers have decided to place the new film 20 years after the original, which would set it in Depression-era London. Storylines will be taken from bestselling author PL Travers' books relating further adventures of Mary Poppins and her employers, the Banks family.

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Julie Andrews won an Oscar for her all-singing, all-flying role in the original version in 1964

Emily Blunt had previously dodged questions about reprising the role, saying on a recent red carpet about the rumours, "I've heard them which is lovely."

Julie Andrews won an Oscar her role in the 1964 original, which saw her flying with an umbrella, having a tea party on the ceiling and sharing wise life lessons with young charges. The film won four other Oscars, and made $100million at the box office.

In October last year, the veteran actress gave her blessing to the prospect of a remake, telling US show 'Today', "I think it's time."

Which has left us wondering, who should play Bert?

Who Could Play 'Mary Poppins'?
Anne Hathaway(01 of15)
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She's pretty much the obvious choice, having won an Oscar for her role in the film version of the musical, 'Les Misérables', and has already even been named bookies' favourite to be given the role.Anne is also a Disney favourite, having recently starred in 'Alice In Wonderland', as well as opposite the original Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, in 'The Princess Diaries'. (credit:Rob Kim via Getty Images)
Amanda Seyfried(02 of15)
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We know Amanda can carry a musical, having previously starred in the lead role in 'Mamma Mia', in addition to her portrayal of Cosette in 'Les Misérables'. (credit:Michael Stewart via Getty Images)
Sheridan Smith(03 of15)
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Thanks to 'Cilla', we all know Sheridan can sing, but did you know her CV already includes an array of performances in musical theatre? As well as past roles in 'Little Shop Of Horrors' and 'Legally Blonde', Sheridan is currently gearing up for a new production of 'Funny Girl' in London's West End - so is it only a matter of time before we see her singing on the silver screen? (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Gemma Arterton(04 of15)
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Like Sheridan, Gemma has experience singing on the West End stage, appearing in 'Made In Dagenham' last year.The British actress already has experience on the big screen, appearing in 'Quantum Of Solace' and 'St Trinian's', and we'd love to see her sliding up a stair banister and floating around with her brolly. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Selena Gomez(05 of15)
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She can sing, she has a history with Disney and with the release of her new album 'Revival', Selena is about to find herself more in the spotlight than she's ever been.We could definitely see her stepping into Julie Andrews' shoes. (credit:C Flanigan via Getty Images)
Caroline Flack(06 of15)
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Various reports have suggested that Caroline is hoping to make the move from TV presenting to performing, following her victory in last year's 'Strictly Come Dancing'.If producers are looking for a British star to play Mary Poppins, why look further than the woman of the moment here in the UK? (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Stephanie Davis(07 of15)
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Given that she's become a household name for her role in 'Hollyoaks', and the controversy surrounding her departure from the soap, it's easy to forget that Stephanie first made a name for herself in the BBC series 'Over The Rainbow'.Sadly, she never made it down the Yellow Brick Road, but maybe Mary Poppins is a role more within the young actress's grasp? (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Emma Stone(08 of15)
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It's only fitting that a role as iconic as Mary Poppins should go to one of Hollywood's brightest young stars, a title which Emma Stone definitely deserves.Her impressive filmography features a range of different projects, showing she's capable of playing such a complex character. Plus, we know she's up for a laugh, so think of the inevitable 'Step In Time' medley. (credit:Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images)
Emily Blunt(09 of15)
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As one of the UK's biggest stars overseas, it makes sense for her to play such a quintessentially British part, pariticularly given we all heard her impressive vocals in 'Into The Woods'. (credit:Rommel Demano via Getty Images)
Sarah Harding(10 of15)
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She can sing. She can act.Does anyone know if she's available? (credit:Keith Hewitt via Getty Images)
Jessica Brown Findlay(11 of15)
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We've already named her as one of our 12 British Actors The World Needs To Know About, and with a leading performance in a film as unavoidable as 'Mary Poppins', we reckon that's a pretty good way to bring the former 'Downton Abbey' star to the masses. (credit:Neil P. Mockford via Getty Images)
Chloe Jasmine(12 of15)
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She's posh. She can sing (-ish). Who wouldn't want to hear Chloe Jasmine crooning her way through a practically perfect rendition of 'I Love To Laugh', and if anyone was born to utter the phrase 'come along, children, spit-spot...', it is this former 'X Factor' star.Someone get her a carpet bag, stat. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Kristin Chenoweth(13 of15)
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Yeah alright, that might just be us. (credit:Jason LaVeris via Getty Images)
Michelle Keegan(14 of15)
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Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan have made no secret of the fact they've been in talks overseas. Michelle has already received praise for her acting here in the UK, but a role like Mary Poppins could be what she needs to catapult her to world stardom.Besides, a northern version of 'A Spoonful Of Sugar' would be a total dream. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Julie Andrews(15 of15)
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Of course, you can't better perfection, can you? (credit:Phillip Massey via Getty Images)

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