Mary Poppins Returns is a thoughtful continuation of the 1964 classic story, and fans are wondering who will make a cameo appearance.
Disney has been very careful not to label Mary Poppins Returns as a reboot or a remake because it certainly isn’t. (One has to think it would be foolish to even attempt a reboot of such a seminal classic) Though the story of Mary Poppins Returns is set a few decades after the original movie, over 5 decades have passed since the original film debuted and sadly there aren’t many actors around from the original. That said, there will be two wonderful cameos in Mary Poppins Returns.
The first question on fans’ minds is whether Julie Andrews would show up in the movie. Andrews played Mary Poppins in the original version of the movie, and according to Variety, she was approached by director Rob Marshall very early on to have her appear. Andrews, to her credit, didn’t want to detract from Emily Blunt’s performance and declined the offer: “This is Emily’s show and I want her to run with this. She should run with this. This is hers. I don’t want to be on top of that.”
Andrews’ co-star Dick Van Dyke will make an appearance in the new movie, appearing as Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of Mr. Dawes Sr whom he played in the original. Mr. Dawes Sr. famously died laughing after hearing Mr. Banks tell a joke about a man with a wooden leg named Smith. Banks had just lost his job but along the journey discovered that there’s so much more to life, and the gift of laughter brought the staunch bank president fits of laughter. It will be fun to see the energetic Van Dyke singing and stepping in time once again.
Also making a cameo from the original film is actress Karen Dotrice. You might not recognize her name, but if you have ever watched Disney films from the 1960s you’ve seen her a lot. And she’s also the actress who played Jane Banks in the original film. Dotrice will play a character referred to as the “Elegant Woman” so keep your eyes out for her. Sadly, her co-star Michael Garber, who played Michael Banks, died in 1977 at the age of 21.
Mary Poppins Returns opens Dec.19.