Mary Poppins Returns: Ben Whishaw in line to play a grown up Michael Banks

The sequel will be set 25 years after the original which starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke

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Considering an official Mary Poppins sequel is on the way, it's no surprise that Disney is assembling a suitably impressive cast for what it's hoping will be a box office behemoth.

Emily Blunt is the one who is taking on the role made famous by Julie Andrews in 1964 for a follow-up that'll take place 25 years after the original's events.

Mary Poppins Returns will be directed by Rob Marshall the filmmaker who most recently directed Disney's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods.

With Hamilton star Lin Manuel-Miranda also starring and Meryl Streep reportedly on the cusp of being cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter ,British actor Ben Whishaw is being eyed for a role - namely that of a grown up Michael Banks who was played by Matthew Garber in the original.

The story will see Michael reunited with both his sister Jane and the titular magical nanny after he experiences a personal loss.

Whishaw is known for playing Q in Bond films Skyfall and Spectre as well as providing the voice of Paddington Bear in British smash hit Paddington. His other list of credits includes The Lobster, The Danish Girl and TV series London Spy.

Production on Mary Poppins Returns is due to begin in London early 2017; it'll reach cinemas on Christmas Day 2018.