TIME has debuted the first official image from Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks, an upcoming live action film starring Emma Thompson and America’s Dad, Tom Hanks. Hanks steps into Walt Disney’s shoes (because seriously, who else would play Disney?) to tell the surprisingly complicated story about getting Mary Poppins made.
When Disney’s two young daughters begged their dad to make their favorite book into a movie, he promised to make it happen – duh, he’s Walt Disney. What he didn’t expect was author P.L. Travers (Thompson) to refuse to give up the rights to the story. But as her book sales start dwindling, Travers agrees to meet with Disney in Los Angeles to maybe – MAYBE – here some more about this dreadful adaptation that probably will never happen.
Of course, when she gets to California and is presumably greeted with singing bluebirds, she eventually comes around. But it won’t be easy.
The image itself is a perfect summary of the film’s plot, showing a smiling and waving Hanks accompanying a prim Thompson through the streets of 1960s Disneyland. Happiest Place on Earth, please – it’s going to take a lot more than a churro and some Minnie Mouse ears to convince her to give up the rights, Disney.
Saving Mr. Banks will be opening in limited theaters on December 13th and in wide release on December 20th.
