Disney's live-action musical "Mary Poppins" was first released in 1964 and starred Julie Andrews as the titular character. However, the sequel, which is slated for a 2018 release, will star Emily Blunt as the magical nanny.

According to Slash Film, "Mary Poppins Returns" will hit cinemas on December 25, 2018. Production is already underway at Shepperton Studios in Shepperton, Surrey, England. Aside from Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, the sequel's cast includes Ben Whishaw as Michael and Emily Mortimer as Jane, the adult Banks children.

Michael's three children will be portrayed by Pixie Davies ("Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"), Nathanael Saleh ("Game of Thrones"), and newcomer Joel Dawson. The upcoming film's supporting cast also includes Lin-Manuel Miranda ("Hamilton") as a street lamplighter named Jack, Julie Walters (the "Harry Potter" franchise) as Michael's housekeeper Ellen, and Colin Firth as William Weatherall Wilkins.

Wilkins runs Fidelity Fiduciary Bank where Mr. Dawes Jr. (once again portrayed by Dick Van Dyke) is chairman. Meryl Streep, will play Mary Poppins' eccentric cousin Topsy.

The synopsis for "Mary Poppins Returns" reads, "Mary Poppins Returns is set in 1930s depression-era London (the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of material in PL Travers' additional seven books. In the story, Michael and Jane are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen, living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack, uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Mary Poppins also introduces the children to a new assortment of colorful and whimsical characters, including her eccentric cousin, Topsy."

The creative team for Mary Poppins Returns includes several well-known names. Rob Marshall ("Into the Woods," "Chicago") will direct the sequel, and the film will be produced by John DeLuca ("Chicago") and Marc Platt ("La La Land"). David Magee ("Life of Pi") wrote the screenplay for the sequel, which will once again be based on "The Mary Poppins Stories" by P.L. Travers.

Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray") and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray") will be writing new songs for "Mary Poppins Returns." Shaiman will also be composing an original score for the sequel, per Oh My Disney.