Mary Poppins Returns! Emily Blunt confirmed for sequel, release date set and synopsis released

Lin-Manuel Miranda also cast in the film

Emily Blunt attends a photocall for 'Sicario' during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival (Getty)

After months of rumours, Emily Blunt has finally been confirmed to be playing Mary Poppins, more than 50 years after the original first hit cinemas.

Titled Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel will focus on the children from the Julie Andrews-starring film - Jane and Michael Banks - who are now grown up with children of their own.

Lin-Manuel Miranda - creator and star of Broadway hit Hamilton - has also been added to the cast, playing an all-new character, a lamplighter named Jack, who we imagine will be very much like Dick Van Dyke’s iconic chimney sweep.

Rob Marshall, who has previously worked with Blunt on Into The Woods, will direct the film. Other previous works include Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Memoirs of a Geisha and Chicago.

He said of the film: “I am truly humbled and honoured to be asked by Disney to bring P.L. Travers’ further adventures to the screen.

“The iconic original film means so much to me personally, and I look forward to creating an original movie musical that can bring Mary Poppins, and her message that childlike wonder can be found in even the most challenging of times, to a whole new generation.”

Mary Poppins was created by author P.L. Travers in 1934 in the book titled Mary Poppins - she went on to write another seven books starring the nanny.

The new film's full synopsis reads: "In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives."

When asked about playing Poppins by The Independent in October last year, Blunt refused to comment on the speculation.

Mary Poppins Returns will reach cinemas Christmas Day 2018.