No Mary Poppins remake

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New Mary Poppins movie won't be a remake

Disney's new 'Mary Poppins' movie won't be a remake of the 1964 original.

Director Rob Marshall has revealed the plot of the much-discussed new movie is based on the books by P.L. Travers, but will be distinct from the classic film starring Julie Andrews.

Rob shared: ''It is not a new 'Mary Poppins'. P.L. Travers wrote eight books all together. They worked from the first book, and we are working from the other books, not touching the iconic brilliance of 'Mary Poppins'.

''This is an extension. I'm a huge fan of the original, and I'm a very good friend of Julie Andrews, and I hold it in such awe. There is all this new material - it was the 'Harry Potter' of its time - and they were never turned into anything further than that adventure.''

What's more, the director revealed he'd be keen to involve Julie Andrews in the project in some capacity.

He told Vulture: ''She is a very dear friend, and if she could be involved in some way, it would be very special. I know she is very happy that we're doing it and, after 50 years, feels that it is time.''