Emma Thompson in talks to star in new Mary Poppins film Hanks is reported to play Walt Disney, while Thompson will play the Poppins author P.L. Travers. Meryl Streep had been previously rumoured for the role, but she dismissed these rumours last month. The picture, to be called Saving Mr. Banks, tells the story of Walt Disney's courtship of the Australian author, Pamela Travers who wrote the eight Mary Poppins books, a series of children's stories inspired by 'Peter Pan' author J. M. Barrie. The film will document the film giant's doggedness in pursuit of the rights to the iconic character, made famous by Julie Andrews. A striking actress, journalist and author, Travers moved to America during the Second World War which is when she was first contacted by a Disney executive about gaining rights to the film. Not until 1964 was the classic Disney musical 'Mary Poppins' was eventually made. Travers was ultimately disappointed with the animated sequences in the lavish film, and she later refused to sell any further rights to Disney. John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) will direct the film, and the screenplay will be written by Kelly Marcel. Saving Mr. Banks will be in cinemas in 2014, some fifty years after the original musical picture.