The woman who bumps into Jack and Jane in front of the house and asks for directions to another house on the block is played by Karen Dotrice. She was the original Jane in the 1964 film! She even says, “Many thanks, sincerely,” which is a line in Jane and Michael’s alternate ad for a nanny. Unfortunately, Matthew Garber, who was the original Michael, died years ago.

Ben Whishaw is great as Michael. He is a man on the edge throughout the film, and he plays that brittleness so well. His performance of “A Conversation“ makes me tear up every time.

Really enjoyed the reaction and love this movie. Is it as good as the original, well no, but IMO that is comparing it to one of the best musicals in the history of movies. Emily Blunt and Ben Whishaw (love him as the voice of Paddington which you've watched recently) are practically perfect in this one and its great to see Dick Van Dyke dancing away.

Dick Van Dyke played Daws Jr, the son of the man. that he played in the original.

The balloon lady played by Angela Lansbury was written for Julie Andrews. It’s the passing of the torch. But Julie was in Aquaman instead 😆

Ben Wishaw…..also Paddington! Love him.
Julie Andrews was offered a cameo by Rob Marshall early in the planning, as the balloon lady, but declined. She said she wanted it to be Emily’s movie. She said ‘This is Emily’s movie. I want her to run with it. This is hers.’.  That’s how Angela Lansbury got the cameo as the balloon lady.

Emily Blunt - oh my - if it couldn't be the original Julie, she's practically perfect in EVERY way. She said in an interview that her kids didn't believe she played Mary Poppins so she said, "Spit Spot" and the kids freaked.

Great pick up on hearing Chris O'Dowd's voice in the animation sequence. You didn't quite get the horse right, but it was a voice you'll recognise, being that of Mark Addy (GoT's Robert Baratheon).

What it was like having Dick Van Dyke on the set:    https://youtu.be/aTrUVU6tpq8?si=wc5EFH2KL9JF2s9U

I actually liked this movie better than the original - except the balloon song at the end doesn't hold a candle to "Let's go fly a kite."

Thanks for reacting to this one.  When it came out, I thought it was a wonderful movie, although I thought the music was very unmemorable.  It was always so nice when they quoted some of the original music.

Julie Andres was offered a cameo in the film but turned it down out of respect for Emily Blunt, wanting the film to completely belong to her. Andrews also said casting Emily was 'wonderful'.