Breaking News: Rob Marshall Will Direct Disney's New MARY POPPINS Film; Shaiman & Wittman Will Write Score

It's Mary that we love, and Mary's coming back! According to Variety, Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, Chicago) will direct a Disney reboot of their classic 1964 film, Mary Poppins. The project will be produced by John DeLuca and Marc Platt. The film will reportedly take place 20 years after the events of the original movie, and will include "storylines from the P.L. Travers' children books focusing on the magical nanny's continued adventures with the Banks family." Casting has not yet been announced.

UPDATE: Accordning to EW, Broadway vets Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash, Catch Me If You Can) will write the score and Finding Neverland's David Magee will write the screenplay.

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.