Rob Marshall Pulls New Details Out of the Carpet Bag for MARY POPPINS Film; Julie Andrews to Play a Role?

As previously reported, Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, Chicago) will direct a new Disney film based on their classic 1964 movie, MARY POPPINS. Speaking to Vulture, the helmer revealed more about the project, which will take place in 1934, when the original P.L. Travers books -- about the magical nanny's continued adventures with the Banks family -- were written and could include a cameo (or more, please!) by the original film's legendary star.

"It is not a new Mary Poppins," Marshall told Vulture. "P.L. Travers wrote eight books all together. They worked from the first book, and we are working from the other books, not touching the iconic brilliance of Mary Poppins. This is an extension. I'm a huge fan of the original, and I'm a very good friend of Julie Andrews, and I hold it in such awe. There is all this new material -- it was the Harry Potter of its time -- and they were never turned into anything further than that adventure."

On whether Julie Andrews will return for Marshall's film, he commented, "She is a very dear friend, and if she could be involved in some way, it would be very special. I know she is very happy that we're doing it and, after 50 years, feels that it is time."

We hope she'll join in on the fun! What role do you see Andrews playing in the new MARY POPPINS film? Tell us in the comments below!

The new MARY POPPINS will be produced by John DeLuca and Marc Platt and will feature a score by Broadway vets Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash, Catch Me If You Can), with a screenplay written by Finding Neverland's David Magee.

MARY POPPINS is a 1964 British American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney, with songs written and composed by the Sherman Brothers. The screenplay is by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, loosely based on P. L. Travers' book series of the same name. The film, which combines live-action and animation, stars Julie Andrews in the titular role of a magical nanny who visits a dysfunctional family in London and employs her unique brand of lifestyle to improve the family's dynamic. Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns are featured in supporting roles. The film was shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

MARY POPPINS was released on August 27, 1964 to universal acclaim, receiving a total of thirteen Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture-an unsurpassed record for any other film released by Walt Disney Studios-and won five; Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Songfor "Chim Chim Cher-ee".

In 2006, a musical version opened on Broadway and played for 2619 performances. Produced by Walt Disney Theatrical and directed by Richard Eyre with co-direction from Matthew Bourne who also acted as co-choreographer with Stephen Mear, the original West End production opened in December 2004 and received two Olivier Awards, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreography. The Broadway production with a near-identical creative team opened with only minor changes from the West End version. It received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, winning for Best Scenic Design.