Disney has finally released the official synopsis and confirmed cast list for its upcoming sequel to beloved classic "Mary Poppins," and it sounds like the flick will be an equal mix of nostalgia-inducing characters from the original, as well as plenty of new people and adventures to delight the next generation of filmgoers.

The cast of "Mary Poppins Returns" will be headlined by Emily Blunt in the titular role, taking over for the iconic Julie Andrews. She's joined in the star-studded ensemble by Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, and Ben Whishaw. Additionally, young actors Pixie Davies, Joel Dawson, and Nathanael Saleh will star as the children of the grown-up Michael Banks.

Here's the synopsis released by Disney this week:

"Michael (Whishaw) and Jane (Mortimer) are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen (Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack (Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives."

The film will feature "a new assortment of colorful and whimsical characters, including [Mary's] eccentric cousin, Topsy (Streep)," as well as a cameo from Dick Van Dyke, who played Mary's pal, the chimney sweep Bert, in the original. In a fun bit of meta casting, Van Dyke will be portraying Mr. Dawes Jr., the chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank; the actor also played that character's father, Mr. Dawes Sr., in the 1964 flick (with Van Dyke disguised in old age makeup). In "Returns," Firth's character, William Weatherall Wilkins, runs the bank's day-to-day operations.

Production is currently underway in England. "Mary Poppins Returns" is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, 2018.

[via: E! News]