After his Broadway hitHamiltonbecame a cultural phenomenon,Lin-Manuel Mirandabecame quite the in-demand performer. He collaborated withStar Wars: The Force AwakensdirectorJ.J. Abramson a new cantina song. Most recently, he signed on to star inMary Poppins 2for Disney, while also coming aboard to compose new songs withAlan Menkenand oversee the writing on the studio’s live-actionLittle Mermaidremake. The actor/writer/composer/singer recently shared new details on both projects, confirming thatMary Poppins 2is a “straight-up sequel.” Here’s what he had to say, explaining that his character grew up as an apprentice toDick Van Dyke’s character Bert from the originalMary Poppins.
“Michael and Jane Banks have grown up, and they find themselves in their own spot, andMary Poppinscomes back to take care of Michael’s kids. I play a lamplighter named Jack who sort of grew up apprenticing to Bert. So I know if Mary Poppins shows up, it’s gonna get awesome. I perform that function in the movie, of saying: ‘Y’all don’t know aboutMary Poppins. When Mary’s around, cool shit happens.'”
It hasn’t been confirmed yet if the 90-year-oldDick Van Dykeis planning to reprise his role as Bert inMary Poppins 2, butLin-Manuel Mirandawill be joined byEmily Bluntas Mary Poppins.Meryl Streepalso recently signed on to play Cousin Topsy, although no further cast members have been confirmed quite yet forMary Poppins 2. When asked for more details in his interview withVariety,Lin-Manuel Mirandarevealed that he hasn’t metDick Van Dykeyet, but he is looking forward to the day they meet.
“I haven’t metDick Van Dyke. I’d love to meet him. I cried like everyone else did when he showed up onThe Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60and started stepping in time. Just horizontal tears out of my face. I showed my son the film, and my son is not even 2 years old. When the music started my son went… (Miranda’s face lit up and he let out gasp of wonder). Which I’ve never seen him do. He just sat rapt. For someone who’s 20 months old, that doesn’t happen. I’m really excited I get to be part of that legacy. That movie is everyone’s childhood. Mine too. Although I never got through ‘Tuppence’ [the song ‘Feed the Birds’], because that lady made me so sad that I would burst into tears. It took me a long time to actually see the end of the movie.”
As for theLittle Mermaid remake,Lin-Manuel Mirandaisn’t believed to have an acting role in that project. He will also serve as a producer alongsideMarc Platt, although no cast members have been revealed and it isn’t known when production will begin. Here’s whatLin-Manuel Mirandahad to say about the originalLittle Mermaid.
“My God, thoseDisney musicals. I feel really lucky that I was a kid when they went on that run of animated musicals, starting withThe Little Mermaid. Not just animated movies, animated musicals.Howard Ashman[the late writer-lyricist of ‘Mermaid,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Aladdin’] figured out, ‘Oh my God, I can make even better musicals under this system than I can Off Broadway.’ I have never been more transported in my life than when ‘Under the Sea’ first started when I was nine years old. I said, ‘I cannot believe what is happening to me,’ and that feeling of vertigo in a movie theater. Something I’ve been chasing ever since. To be part of that legacy, and thenBeauty and the Beast,AladdinandThe Lion King, it was just this incredible run that happened when I was ages 9 to 14. It’s very formative to me. I’m thrilled to be a part of that tradition.”
Disney has set a Christmas Day 2018 release date forMary Poppins Returns, but the studio doesn’t have a date in place yet forThe Little Mermaidmovie. Universal is also prepping its ownLittle Mermaidproject, withChloe Moretzset to play Ariel, but very little is known about that project at this time.Lin-Manuel Mirandaalso co-wrote the songs for Disney’sMoana, which hits theaters November 23.
