Lin-Manuel Miranda Speaks About “Mary Poppins Returns” and “The Little Mermaid”

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Pictured: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Pictured: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Self-professed Disney fan Lin-Manuel Miranda has been in Disney heaven these past few months. Riding on the success of Tony-award winning Hamilton, Disney tapped Miranda to join the songwriting team for their upcoming animated film Moana. Now, he is just a few months away from starring in Mary Poppins Returns, which begins production in early 2017. Following his Disney acting debut, Miranda will be back in the studio with Disney Legend Alan Menken to start work on new songs and
re-imaginings for the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid.

Aside from music, the centre of Miranda’s world is his family. He is currently training his 2-year-old son to be a life-long Disney fan, as witnessed by fans on Twitter when Miranda posts some of his favourite and most complex moments from Disney Junior’s Chuggington:

Recently, Miranda showed his son the original Mary Poppins. His son “just sat rapt. For someone who’s 20 months old, that doesn’t happen… That movie is everyone’s childhood.” According to Miranda, he always struggled to make it past “Feed the Birds” because of how emotional that scene was. “It took me a long time to actually see the end of the movie”, says Miranda.

When Mary Poppins Returns was announced, fans of the original, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, became nervous that the film would simply be a remake of the beloved classic. Miranda has ceased those rumours, saying the film is “straight up a sequel”, as stated in an upcoming interview for Variety. In a quick summary, Miranda says “Michael and Jane Banks have grown up, and they find themselves in their own spot”, requiring the assistance of their childhood nanny, Mary Poppins, played by Emily Blunt in the sequel. While Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins carry through from the original, Miranda will not be playing Bert. Instead, his character, Jack, “sort of grew up apprenticing to Bert… [performing] that function in the movie, of saying: ‘Y’all don;t know about Mary Poppins. When Mary’s around, cool sh– happens.'”

Left to Right: Dwayne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Moana media event

Left to Right: Dwayne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Moana media event

While Julie Andrews has previously offered her support for Emily Blunt, Miranda hasn’t received advice from Van Dyke, someone he hopes to meet in the future. He cites tears that fell when Van Dyke surprised Disney fans around the world when he performed “Sep In Time” at Disneyland’s 60th anniversary television celebration. With Miranda’s fun-loving personality, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine Van Dyke being upset at the casting. If Miranda’s wish comes true, Van Dyke will be on hand to offer advice on his classic physical comedy.

With Moana being released this year, Mary Poppins Returns beginning production, and the live-action The Little Mermaid starting work, there will be no shortage of Disney for Miranda, and vice-versa. The late songwriter Howard Ashman, according to Miranda, “figured out ‘Oh my God, I can make even better [animated] musicals… than I can Off Broadway'”. For Miranda, it all began with “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. Miranda cites the Golden Age of Disney as being “very formative to me. I’m thrilled to be a part of that tradition”. The enthusiasm that Miranda has for Disney will bring something special to his three upcoming films. Those lucky enough to see Miranda on-stage in Hamilton were treated to a man who truly loved what he was doing. Now, Miranda’s passion for Disney will be brought to theatres around the world. No longer will fans have to travel to New York City to see his creations. The partnership of Miranda and Disney is sure to create a new era of classic Disney films. As seen in the clip below, Miranda is always having the time of his life!

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