Mary Poppins is returning to the big screen this Christmas, with Mary Poppins Returns. The film is directed by Rob Marshall and stars Emily Blunt in the iconic titular role.
While speaking with Variety about her recent film A Quiet Place, Blunt was asked about her upcoming role in Mary Poppins Returns. The actress was asked about her take on the character, making it evident that instead of basing her part in the film on what Julie Andrews did all those years ago, Blunt has been taking to the original books for inspiration.
She’s really eccentric in the books. She’s kind of batty and vain and rude. And she made me laugh so much. It’s hard to sum up exactly what my interpretation was, but it’s whatever leapt off the pages of the book to me.
Blunt also explained what drew her to the role in the first place:
Rob Marshall called me a couple of years ago and pitched it to me. The script hadn’t been written and they hadn’t written the songs, they were just crafting a narrative. He explained that this was much more in the same world as the books. It’s set in the ’30s during the Great Depression, which is when P.L. Travers wrote them. It was the idea of having a darker backdrop in which hope could reappear from the skies. I loved the idea and I love and believe in him.
What he did for me was huge. Having somebody like Julie Andrews, who is iconic, play somebody like Mary Poppins, who is also iconic, it could have felt like I was rolling aside this huge boulder. But Rob made it feel so intimate for me and empowering for me, so I could have my own version of her. I didn’t watch the original during the process. I had a memory of the movie seared into my brain from when I was a child, but I didn’t want the distraction of the amazing Julie’s version of her. I just read the books. This is my interpretation of Mary.
Near the end of Variety's interview, Blunt was asked, simply, if she would like to do a superhero film. To which she, even more simply replied:
Not particularly.
Her husband, Jon Krasinski certainly seems eager to take on a superhero role alongside his wife.
Finally, Variety asked Blunt whether she enjoys starring in action movies, such as her role in Doug Liman's Edge of Tomorrow?
I do. I mean it’s hard. I have had two children since “Edge of Tomorrow.” I think it will be a slightly different kind of grind to do the sequel, but I think they do want to do a sequel at some point.
I do think it’s important to see girls kick some ass. If I’m invited to do that, I’m going to keep doing it.
What do you think about the Blunt's comments? Are you excited to see her take on the character, once Mary Poppins Returns releases on the 25th of December? Would you like to see her take on a superhero role?