I interviewed Ben Whishaw (Michael Banks) & Emily Mortimer (Jane Banks) from Mary Poppins Returns while in LA at the Mary Poppins red carpet event. I really felt as if I was sitting with siblings. I would say Ben and Emily aren’t too far off from Michael and Jane.
How do you work joy and wonder into your life?
It was a tough on the spot question so Emily passed it over to Ben, who had no idea, and then a man after my own heart answers!
Drink… Alcohol… And cigarettes…
None of them are healthy. If I’m honest with you.
Since this is a Disney film, we’ll get back to a magical question.
Kids say the darndest things
Emily was in Barnes and Noble and her daughter found a Mary Poppins Returns book and saw her “mommy’s photo”, so she tells everyone that her mom is in a book!
Rob Marshall said last night he got his first choice of all the actors. How does it feel for him saying that, and to be in such an iconic remake of a movie.
Ben: When Rob likes you, he really, really, really, really likes you. He doesn’t hold back. You feel his love. You feel his excitement about what you might bring to the table. Some directors don’t have that quantity. I really value that.
Both Ben and Emily couldn’t say enough how director Rob Marshall gave them so much encouragement and made them feel special, wonderful and clever and talented which in turn helped then be all those things.
Emily told us that being with Karen (the original Jane) and Dick Van Dyke was extraordinary to have connections to the original movie. It felt validating that they were excited about it, and into it, and Emily felt thrilled by the whole experience. It was good because there were a lot of nerves around taking this on.
What was the most challenging scene for you both to create?
Ben: “I think that the final scene when we’re on the balloons was quite challenging. I mean, everything was. But because that had to be the climactic moment. It’s weirdly much easier sometimes to play misery, and grief or whatever. But being open-hearted and happy can be quite hard.”
Emily adds in, “Especially when you’ve been miserable the whole movie!”
The sibling chemistry that you guys play on camera is phenomenal. Is there anything that you did special to be able to do that. Did you spend extra time together? Was it difficult to live up to the expectations of these kids that have experienced something marvelous as children. And come into as adults, and kids around you.
Ben: We were really lucky. We just immediately got on, and enjoyed each other’s company, and giggled about things, and gossiped.
Emily adds in laughing: Terribly
Emily: Waiting to go on for rehearsals, and there were weeks and weeks of rehearsals. And then acting together. And then sitting around on the set for months, months, months together.
Ben: You spend most of the time sitting in a little tent.
Emily: Planning your lunch.
Ben: By a heater
They’re exchange was just as you would expect from siblings. They finished each other sentences, joked around , and you can see how close the’ve become.
Do you have favorite scene from the movie?
Ben: “I really love the big dance number. Trip a Little Light Fantastic. I’m just knocked out by it. Because it’s tremendous.”
Emily: “I’m the same. I think it’s amazing, and you can’t catch your breath almost. Like I keep saying, it’s like intravenous entertainment. Just when you think you’ve had enough, you’ve gorged yourself. Then along comes Dick Van Dyke, and then there’s that dance. And just more, more, more, more. It’s amazing. It’s So Very cool.”
You can also check out Mary Poppins Returns red carpet movie premiere in LA, My Mary Poppins Returns Movie Review, and interviews with Emily Blunt and Lin-Mauel Miranda
Mary Poppins Returns opens in theaters on December 19th
Grab your tickets today here!
You can also take home your favorite characters for the kids (or yourself) with Funko from Entertainment Earth.
- For more details visit: Mary Poppins
- Pick up one of four fun Funko Pop collectible figures.
