In 'Mary Poppins Returns,' Lin-Manuel Miranda arrives as a movie-musical star

Lin-Manuel Miranda has already seen "Mary Poppins Returns" three times.

Usually, actors promoting projects around the globe are on duty before and after each screening for red-carpet photos and post-show chats. They might opt not to sit through their own film more than once. But at glitzy premieres and guild events for his new musical, Miranda often assumes his seat.

"Do people usually skip those?" he asked, shaking his head. "I worked too hard on this movie not to watch it."

Of course, Miranda is no stranger to hard work. The 38-year-old theater composer spent five years practically perfecting the Tony-, Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway behemoth "Hamilton" and starred in the three-hour production seven times per week.

But "Mary Poppins Returns," Disney's movie-musical sequel to the beloved 1964 Julie Andrews classic opening Wednesday, is Miranda's first major film role. The movie opens