Emily Blunt roped in for 'Mary Poppins' sequel

Actress Emily Blunt has officially landed the role of Mary Poppins in a Disney sequel set for release in 2018. Rumours suggesting 33-year-old British actress was the frontrunner to take on the titular role in the family movie first emerged in February and Disney executives officially announced she is their leading lady, reported Ace Showbiz.

Blunt will be joined by

Lin-Manuel Miranda

, the star and creator of Broadway smash '

Hamilton

,' and the sequel, entitled '

Mary Poppins Returns

,' will hit cinemas on Christmas Day in 2018.

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Blunt will be reuniting with the director and production team behind her hit 2014 Disney musical '

Into the Woods

,' and filmmaker Rob Marshall can't wait to work with her again.

Marshall, who is also producing the upcoming film with

John DeLuca

and Marc Platt, said, "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.