Dick Van Dyke has confirmed he will make a guest appearance in the Mary Poppins sequel, entitled Mary Poppins Returns. The 91-year-old star, who played the lovable chimney sweeper Bert in the 1964 musical, revealed his excitement to be a part of the franchise once again.
The legendary actor told Entertainment Tonight: "I'll be going to London in the spring to do my role, and I get to do a little song and dance number. I think I just have the one scene and a little song and dance in it."
Earlier this year, Disney confirmed that British actress Emily Blunt will play Mary Poppins in the upcoming remake of the much-loved film. The new movie will be set two decades after the original Mary Poppins, and will draw inspiration from all of P.L Travers eight book series.
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Dick Van Dyke has confirmed he will make an appearance in the Mary Poppins sequel
Expected to be released in Christmas 2018, the highly-anticipated reboot will be directed by Rob Marshall, who was behind the Oscar-winning movie Chicago. Colin Firth will take on the role of William Weatherall Wilkins, the president of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, while Ben Whishaw plays grown-up Michael Banks. Meryl Streep and Lin Manuel-Miranda are also in the stellar line-up.
Earlier this year, Emily, 33, revealed how she was given the "seal of approval" from acclaimed actress Julie Andrews, who made the character famous more than 50 years ago. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she explained: "Rob said he was in the Hamptons, and he saw [Julie]. He said, 'It's top secret, but Emily Blunt's playing Mary Poppins.' And she went, 'Oh, wonderful!'"
"I think I just have the one scene and a little song and dance in it," he said
"I felt like I wanted to cry. It was lovely to get her stamp of approval. That took the edge off it, for sure," she said before adding: "I feel a little more trepidation with this [character] because she's so emblematic of people's nostalgia. It's such an important character in people’s childhood."