There's something about Mary Poppins

Emily Blunt, right, is the favourite to take the role of Mary Poppins from Anne Hathaway

A TRANSATLANTIC battle is brewing over who will star as magical nanny Mary Poppins in a new musical.

 

British actress Emily Blunt is favourite to step into the shoes of Julie Andrews but faces competition from Oscar-winning American Anne Hathaway and they both face screen tests for Hollywood chiefs. 

A Disney insider said: “They are both terrific actresses who would be perfect for the part. It will be a hard choice.” 

Anne, 32, said she feels Emily will pip her to the role because she is British and audiences object to an American playing a character that is so essentially English. 

 

Emily Blunt on the red carpet earlier this week for the premiere of her new film 'Sicario'

Anne Hathaway on Late Night with Seth Meyers earlier this week

This didn’t stop Dick Van Dyke from playing chimney sweep Bert with a comically bad cockney accent in the original 1964 film. 

There’s not been anything official

Emily Blunt

Emily, 32, plays down talk she is first choice for the musical role, saying: “There’s not been anything official.” 

The story will take place 20 years after the original version starring Julie Andrews and will again be set in London. 

The film turned Andrews into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, winning her a Best Actress Oscar. 

 

Further success followed with The Sound Of Music to establish the actress as one of the most popular in the world. 

Now aged 79, it is thought producers will offer her a cameo role in the new version.