'Mary Poppins Returns' Release Date & News: Julie Andrews Reacts To Emily Blunt Casting, Which Made Blunt Cry

Julie Andrews has expressed how she really feels about the casting of Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins in the upcoming Disney sequel, "Mary Poppins Returns." The beloved actress is well-known for bringing the character to life on the big screen back in the 60s. Suffice to say, Emily Blunt has tough shoes to fill.

But all the pressures of playing an iconic character for "Mary Poppins Returns" seems to have eased off when Emily Blunt learned that Julie Andrews actually think it's wonderful she's has been given the role. The actress told Entertainment Weekly that she learned of Julie Andrews' reaction about her playing Mary Poppins through director Rob Marshall.

"It was lovely to get her stamp of approval," said Blunt, who admitted she wanted to cry upon learning what Julie Andrews thought. "That took the edge off it, for sure."

Emily Blunt further said that her take on Mary Poppins will be a bit meaner than Julie Andrews' version. The characterization will be a lot closer to the depiction in the book series written by P.L. Travers, which is the original source for both movies.

What Julie Andrews thinks about Emily Blunt playing Mary Poppins: https://t.co/LLHZgpBiv3 pic.twitter.com/RCk8cqqRby

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) August 30, 2016

"Mary Poppins Returns," which Disney has marked for a December 2018 theater release, picks up years after the timeline in the first "Mary Poppins." This time, the famous nanny's wards have all grown up, but Mary returns to London after the family experiences a loss, per Deadline.

Joining Blunt in "Mary Poppins Returns" is Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, who is described as a street lamplighter. Variety reports that Meryl Streep is also in discussions to join the production. The actress is touted to play cousin Topsy, who was featured in the book series.

Just like the first movie, "Mary Poppins Returns" will also involve some singing. Blunt, Streep and Marshall have actually worked in a musical production before, via the film adaptation of "Into the Woods," which earned various nominations. Blunt and Streep also worked together in "The Devil Wears a Prada."