Hancock Goes Behind The Scenes Of Mary Poppins

Filmmaker John Lee Hancock ("The Blind Side") is in talks to direct "Saving Mr. Banks" says Deadline.

Kelly Marcel's script deals with Walt Disney's 14 year attempt to persuade Australian author P. L. Travers to sell him the film rights to her Mary Poppins stories. 

Travers' book was highly personal, and reflected hardships in her own life and her relationship with her father who died when she was seven. Disney finally persuaded her to let him make the film, though she was difficult to please all the way to the end.

Alison Owen will produce the film.

The hope is for the film to head into production this year.