Lin-Manuel Miranda In Talks to Star in Disney's MARY POPPINS Sequel!

Variety reports exclusively that HAMILTON's star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is currently in discussions to star in Disney's upcoming sequel to the beloved film MARY POPPINS. Miranda has already established a relationship with the studio having composed original music for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. In addition, his original music will be featured in Disney's upcoming animated film MOANA. The recent Grammy winner is also expected to take part in developing new songs for the POPPINS sequel.

As BWW reported earlier this week, Emily Blunt, who played 'The Baker's Wife' in the 2014 film adaptation of the hit Stephen Sondheim musical INTO THE WOODS, is currently in early talks to star in the film's title role.

Miranda would portray Jack, described as a lamplighter in the vein of chimney sweep Bert, the character portrayed by Dick Van Dyke in the 1964 hit film. 'Into the Woods' helmer Rob Marshall will direct the movie with John DeLuca and Marc Platt producing.

Sources tell the site that the new version of the story will be set in Depression-era London, the period that the books were originally written and 20 years after the first film was set. It will incorporate storylines from P.L. Travers' books which center on Poppins adventures with the Banks family. The original musical will follow the now grown Banks children, Jane and Michael who are facing a personal loss that precipitates the return of the magical Mary Poppins who, together with her lamplighter friend Jack, help the family through the crisis.

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

The original film starred Julie Andrews and Van Dyke and was a box office giant, grossing $100 million and receiving five Academy Awards, including one for Andrews as best actress.

Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for the musical In the Heights, which opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in March 2008. His written work for the show earned him numerous accolades, including the 2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Miranda's performance in the show's lead role of Usnavi earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Miranda is currently performing on Broadway in the lead role of Alexander Hamilton in HAMILTON. He is a 2015 recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" Award. This month HAMILTON received the 2016 Edward Kennedy Prize for Drama.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos