Tom Hanks to play Walt Disney in 'Mary Poppins' movie

London, Apr (ANI): Tom Hanks is set to play Walt Disney in a new film about the making of the 1964 musical 'Mary Poppins'.

The Oscar winning actor will play the animated studio creator in 'Saving Mr Banks' which tells the true life story of the Disney studio's making of one of their most iconic films, 'Mary Poppins', the Daily Mail reported.

British actress Emma Thompson will star opposite Hanks as Australian author PLTravers who wrote the book on which the musical is based.

Walt Disney, the founder of the animated studio, spent 14 years trying to persuade Travers to allow him to make a film of her children's story.

'Mary Poppins' went to become one of the studios' most beloved films and starred Julie Andrews in her Hollywood debut as the magical nanny.

Dick Van Dyke played a one man band who befriends Poppins and the children under her charge.

Travers had been reluctant to sell the film rights, due to her personal connection to her creation, but Disney eventually won her over.

She had held out from selling the rights as she did not want the film to be animated by the Disney Studio.

Travers was so upset when the film was released featuring animated sequences she never worked with Disney again.

John Lee Hancock, who directed 'The Blind Side' is lined up to direct. (ANI)