"The Office" and Inglorious Basterds star B.J. Novak has joined the upcoming John Lee Hancock-directed Saving Mr. Banks, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter. He'll appear opposite the previously-attached Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Bradley Whitford, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman and Ruth Wilson.

The movie focuses on P.L. Travers (Thompson), the woman who wrote the "Mary Poppins" books beginning in 1934 and her fierce apprehension (and later regret) about bringing the character to the screen.

The script is said to shift back and forth between 1961 and 1907 and covers Travers' childhood in rural Queensland and her experience negotiating with Walt Disney (Hanks) and his team for the film. Farrell will play her father, the inspiration for the Mr. Banks character.

Novak will play songwriter Robert Sherman with Disney looking to start filming this fall in Los Angeles.

(Photo Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN.com)