Spielberg to remake 'Mary Poppins'?

Posted Friday, December 30, 2005 at 10:41 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

According to British news source The Independent Online, Steven Spielberg is considering a remake of the 1964 Disney musical Mary Poppins. The story quotes Richard Eyre, director of the "Mary Poppins" stage production which is a smash hit in England.

"We've talked about it a lot," the story quotes Eyre. "It will be hard to outdo the original, but kids love the story and I'm sure that the remake will be a real success." He makes no mention if Spielberg would direct or simply produce a film version.

The show opened in London's West End last December and is scheduled for its Broadway debut next year. "The studio will use the success of the Broadway show to decide whether to use the British cast for the film. But I would hope to use as much of the West End cast as possible and keep Mary English rather than have a big American star name," Eyre added.

Film versions of musical stage productions have become en vogue again thanks to the success of Oscar-winning Chicago. Rent and The Producers are now in theaters.