Dick Van Dyke will star in ‘Mary Poppins Returns’.
The 91-year-old actor portrayed jack-of-all-trades Bert in the classic 1964 musical movie, and he has confirmed he will return for the sequel, admitting he has been impressed with the cast already announced for the forthcoming film.
He said: "This one supposedly takes place 20 years later and the kids are all grown up.
"It’s a great cast – Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury and that guy [Lin-Manuel Miranda] from ‘Hamilton’."
Van Dyke insisted he has no intention of retiring from acting because he thinks having a quieter lifestyle would make him age quicker.
He said: "I think it’s the worst thing you can do.
"Certain people who do retire suddenly age. I think you have to stay active."
The Hollywood actor "just knew" he had to be a part of the original movie – which starred Julie Andrews as the titular character – as soon as he heard the score.
He added to The Hollywood Reporter: "There was a spirit about that thing from the very beginning.
"Walt [Disney] had me in, and I heard the score and saw the scenes storyboarded on a wall, and I just knew."
Emily Blunt is set to star in the titular role in the upcoming film, and Emily Mortimer is to play Jane Banks with Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks.
Van Dyke – who was born in Missouri in the US – recently admitted someone should’ve told him his fake London accent he put on for the film wasn’t up to scratch.
He said: "Someone should have told me I needed to work on my Cockney accent. Nearly everyone in the ‘Mary Poppins’ cast was a Brit but no one said anything.
"I was given an Irish coach whose Cockney was much better than mine. Years later I asked Julie [Andrews], "Why didn’t you tell me?" She said it was because I was working so hard."
Dick Van Dyke confirms Mary Poppins return
