by Murtada
Self promotion and corporate synergy hit a high on the Oscars telecast Sunday. Disney which owns ABC and is releasing Mary Poppins Returns next Christmas, made sure that the stars of the film were presenters on the show. Not only that but host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned both Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel Miranda in his jokes, and both got invited to that misbegotten visit to nearby screening of another Disney film, A Wrinkle in Time. Finally the film’s first teaser was released during one of the commercial breaks...
The teaser is all about the lead up and the reveal. The iconic leading lady appears in the last couple of seconds. Dressed impeccably and looking at herself in a mirror, Blunt only says a few words as Poppins. The delivery though is salty with a touch of narcissism (you know because a mirror is involved so that must be what they want us to see). That gives us a clue that the character and performance are going to be different than Julie Andrews’ sweet and legendary take and closer to the later books.
As we all know Andrews won best actress at the 1964 Oscars. So what do we think Blunt’s chances are? Could this be the role that finally nabs her that so far elusive nomination? The media hype certainly started early with a Vanity Fair cover a full year before the movie’s release. Expect her to be everywhere this year. Are you looking forward to this sequel?