Novak Joins "Saving Mr. Banks"

B.J. Novak has joined the cast of "Saving Mr. Banks" says THR.

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.

Tom Hanks and would star as Disney while Emma Thompson is set to play Travers.

Novak will play Robert Sherman, the songwriter who along with his brother Richard Morton Sherman (Jason Schwartzman) wrote the movie’s memorable songs. Paul Giamatti will play Travers' chauffeur Ralph, while Ruth Wilson and Colin Farrell will play Travers' parents. Bradley Whitford is set to play Don DaGradi, who co-wrote the screenplay to "Mary Poppins".

John Lee Hancock ("The Blind Side") will direct.

Alison Owen will produce the film.

Shooting kicks off this Fall in Los Angeles.