Moviefone santa logo
Trending
'Masters of the Universe' Teaser
'Avengers: Doomsday' Teaser
'The Odyssey' Trailer
'Supergirl' Teaser
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingIn TheatersComing SoonMovie ChartsTV Show ChartsShowtimesHighlightsNewsCelebritiesWhat to WatchNew TrailersMovie TheatersMovie ReviewsVideosMoviefone TVMade In Hollywood
The SubstanceThe SubstanceConclaveConclaveThe AccountantThe AccountantA Real PainA Real PainFlowFlowZero DayZero DayThe White LotusThe White LotusParadiseParadiseSeveranceSeveranceYellowjacketsYellowjackets
Highlights
  1. News

6 Actors We Want to See Play Mary Poppins

Sharon Knolle
September 15, 2015 - 1 min read
Google transparent preferred source badge

With Walt Disney prepping a new Mary Poppins film, naturally the next question is: Who can fill Julie Andrews's lace-up boots? Here are six actresses who just might be worthy to carry Mary Poppins' umbrella.

Anne Hathaway

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Pro: The Oscar-winning star has the Disney cred -- "Princess Diaries" and "Alice in Wonderland." And she proved she could sing like an angel in "Les Misérables" and would make a suitably perky Poppins. And she already channeled Mary in the "SNL" skit (pictured) where she reveals that "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is actually a disease of the liver. Con: She's not British. And there are so many "Hathahaters" out there.

Emily Blunt

Pro: The British star of "The Young Victoria" and "The Adjustment Bureau" showed off her surprisingly great vocal chops as The Baker's Wife in Disney's "Into the Woods." Con: Audiences may prefer to see her in more ass-kicking fare, like "Sicario" and "Edge of Tomorrow."

Kristen Bell

Pro: The beloved "Veronica Mars" star sang a number of hit songs in Disney's "Frozen," including "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" Also, like Hathaway, she has some previous Poppins experience on her resume, thanks to a Funny or Die sketch.  Con: Not British. And some people found her meltdown over an adorable sloth annoying, apparently.

Emilia Clarke

Pro: We can see the "Mother of Dragons" as the sometimes tough nanny. She also starred in a musical version of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on Broadway. And playing Mary Poppins would mean no annoying sex scenes! Con: After the poor showing for "Terminator: Genisys," studios might not trust her with a franchise. Or want her in movies. 

Felicity Jones

Pro: We can picture the Oscar-nominated "The Theory of Everything" star in the role: As Jane Hawking, she had the right blend of determination and prim-and-proper Britishness that Mary Poppins calls for. She also has a starring role in "Star Wars: Rogue One," so that puts her in the Disney family.  Con: The only singing we're aware of on her resume is serenading Stephen Hawking on his birthday.

Rebecca Ferguson

Pro: On everyone's "must-cast" list after stealing the show in "Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation." She's also had years of dance training. Con: She's actually Swedish, not British. And there is a singing Rebecca Ferguson who was on "The X-Factor," but this isn't her.

Sharon Knolle
Article by Sharon Knolle
Freelance Writer

Sharon has been writing for Moviefone since 2009 and has also written for IMDB, USA Today, TV Guide and Forces of Geek.

From Our Partners

Global Grind - What’s New & Black On Netflix: February 2026
Global Grind - Wicked’s New Lion: Colman Domingo’s Most Powerful Films & TV Shows
NewsOne - The Best Family Movies To Watch This Holiday Season 

More News on Moviefone

Diane Lane Joins the Next ‘Exorcist’ Movie
Diane Lane Joins the Next ‘Exorcist’ Movie
'The Strangers – Chapter 3' Interview: Madelaine Petsch
'The Strangers – Chapter 3' Interview: Madelaine Petsch
Every Muppets TV Show Ranked From Worst to Best
Every Muppets TV Show Ranked From Worst to Best
‘Iron Lung’ is a Surprise Hit at the Box Office
‘Iron Lung’ is a Surprise Hit at the Box Office
Movie Review: ‘The Wrecking Crew’
Movie Review: ‘The Wrecking Crew’
'Relationship Goals' Interview: Kelly Rowland and Cliff Smith
'Relationship Goals' Interview: Kelly Rowland and Cliff Smith

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets

Latest Trailers

'Heel' Trailer2:05
'Heel' Trailer
'Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord' Season 1 Teaser1:47
'Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord' Season 1 Teaser
'Your Friends & Neighbors' Season 2 Teaser57s
'Your Friends & Neighbors' Season 2 Teaser
'Michael' Trailer2:17
'Michael' Trailer
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Trailer1:39
'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Trailer

Movie and TV Reviews

Top Movies

The Substance poster
The Substance
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
71
Conclave poster
Conclave
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
72
The Accountant poster
The Accountant
Calculate your choices.
71

Top Series

Zero Day poster
Zero Day
Truth has been weaponized.
70
The White Lotus poster
The White Lotus
Same luxury. New reservations.
76
Paradise poster
Paradise
The truth lies outside.
76
Moviefone xmas logo
MoviesTV ShowsStreamingShowtimesWhat to WatchVideosNews
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInRedditTikTokNewsletterWidgets
Google preferred source badge
Copyright © 2026 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.