Ben Whishaw to play older Michael Banks in 'Mary Poppins Returns'

Word has it that Q from Skyfall and the voice of Paddington, Ben Whishaw, will play the older Michael Banks in Mary Poppins Returns.

Whishaw will have a major presence in the story, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie is set 25 years after the 1964 original starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. In the sequel, Michael Banks suffers a personal loss and in swoops Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) to cheer the family up. There's no word yet on who's playing Jane, but we do know Lin-Manuel Miranda plays the nanny's lamplighter friend, Jack. Rumor has it that Meryl Streep is playing Mary Poppin's cousin named Topsy.

Into the Woods director Rob Marshall directs a script by Life of Pi scribe David Magee. Original songs are being written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the songwriters of Hairspray.

Whishaw played Q alongside Daniel Craig in the last two James Bond movies. He also recently appeared in The Lobster and In the Heart of the Sea.

Mary Poppins Returns is set for release on Dec. 25, 2018.