Mary Poppins Returns: Angela Lansbury joins cast of Disney sequel

She may not have returned to her beloved role as Mrs. Potts in the live-action Beauty and the Beast remake, but Angela Lansbury is still making her return to Disney.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed she's joined the cast of Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel to the 1964 classic, which is currently filming in London. She'll play the Balloon Lady, who featured as part of P.L. Travers' original series of children's books of the same name.

Emily Blunt will take on the film's titular lead, made iconic thanks to Julie Andrews' original performance; alongside the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Wishaw, Emily Mortimer, and Colin Firth - alongside a confirmed cameo from Dick van Dyke, though he won't be returning as Bert.

The film flashes forward to the era of the Great Depression and the now grown-up Jane (Mortimer) and Michael (Wishaw) Banks, alongside Michael's three children.

After a tragedy which leaves their lives completely bereft of joy, the Banks' former nanny makes a return visit, with the help of lamplighter Jack (Miranda).

Directed and produced by Rob Marshall, the film is based on a screenplay by David Magee, with new songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and an original score by Shaiman.

Mary Poppins Returns hits cinema screens Christmas Day 2018.