The original Mary Poppins film, released in 1964, featured the incredibly talented Julie Andrews in the iconic role of Mary Poppins. However, when it came time to produce the sequel, titled Mary Poppins Returns, there were some obstacles to overcome in order to ensure that Julie Andrews could reprise her role.
One of the main challenges was that Julie Andrews had undergone surgery on her vocal cords, which had affected her ability to sing. This raised concerns about whether she would be able to fully embody the role of Mary Poppins, who is known for her beautiful singing voice. As a result, Disney made the decision to push back the production of the film to allow Andrews more time to recover and regain her singing abilities.
During this time, there were also discussions about whether Dick Van Dyke, who played two memorable characters in the original film, would have a role in the sequel. In the original Mary Poppins, Van Dyke portrayed the lovable chimney sweep, Bert, as well as the elderly banker, Mr. Dawes Sr. His performances were beloved by audiences, and it was only natural to wonder if he would make an appearance in the sequel.
Ultimately, it was decided that Dick Van Dyke would indeed have a small role in Mary Poppins Returns. In the film, he portrays Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of his character from the original movie. This was a delightful nod to the first film and allowed Van Dyke to once again showcase his talent and charm.
As for Julie Andrews, unfortunately, she did not end up playing Mary Poppins in the sequel. The decision was made to cast Emily Blunt in the role, and she did a fantastic job bringing her own interpretation of the beloved character to life. While it would have been wonderful to see Julie Andrews reprise her role, it is understandable that the circumstances surrounding her voice and the need for her to fully recover played a significant role in the casting decision.
While Julie Andrews was initially intended to play Mary Poppins in the sequel, Disney made the decision to push back the production to allow her more time to recover from vocal cord surgery. Ultimately, Julie Andrews did not end up playing the role, and Emily Blunt took on the iconic character in Mary Poppins Returns. However, Dick Van Dyke did have a small role in the sequel, adding a touch of nostalgia for fans of the original film.