When it comes to reviving iconic characters on screen, any actor will tell you that great care must be taken. Thanks to social media, film fans now have more of a voice than ever before, and they aren’t afraid to use it to dish out glowing praise or searing criticism. The more near and dear fans hold a character, the higher the risk of taking on a role.

But with the popularity of Hollywood remakes (2018 alone brought us Tomb Raider, Overboard, A Star is Born and The Grinch), more and more actors are stepping up to the challenge and putting their mark on established roles.

Arguably one of the most daring undertakings of late is that of a sequel to the beloved Mary Poppins. It’s been over 50 years since the magical singing nanny floated down from the sky and into our hearts, and her character has become both a cinematic sensation and cultural institution. When it came time for director Rob Marshall to cast the legendary lead in this month’s Mary Poppins Returns, he immediately knew that Emily Blunt was the only choice. “There is not another person on this planet who could have played that part but you, no one,” he told Blunt during the recent press panel for the film.

For Blunt, the decision to take the role brought forth both elation and a fair amount of anxiety:

It was so extraordinary, such an extraordinary, rather unparalleled moment for me because I was filled with an instantaneous yes, but also with some trepidation, you know, all happening simultaneously in that moment because she is so iconic. She had such a big imprint on my life and on everyone’s lives, you know.

Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins

Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins

She went on to speak of the importance of making the role her own:

No one wants to see me do a sort of cheap impersonation of Julie Andrews because no one is Julie Andrews. And so she should be preserved and treasured in her own way [for] what she did.

In prepping for the movie, Blunt decided that she would not re-watch the original film version in order to avoid being influenced by Andrews’ portrayal. She said, “…if I’m going to carve out new space for myself it was gonna have to be without watching the details of what Julie did so close to shooting.”

Will Blunt’s self-reliant strategy pay off? Her Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy indicates that indeed it did. Audiences will soon be able to weigh in as Mary Poppins Returns hits theaters everywhere December 19, just in time for the holidays. You can get your tickets here.

(Header image: Walt Disney Studios)

 

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