Mamma Mia! is an upcoming film adaptation of the West End musical of the same name based on the songs of pop group ABBA. The title of the film comes from the group’s 1975 chart-topper “Mamma Mia”. It will be produced by Universal Pictures in partnership with Playtone and Littlestar. It is slated for a release date of July 11, 2008 in Sweden and the United Kingdom, July 18, 2008 in the United States.

Oscar winner Meryl Streep will head the cast of the film, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård will play the three potential fathers to Donna’s daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).

Plot: Mamma Mia! employs the hit songs of famed pop group ABBA to tell the story of Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried), a young girl who hopes to discover the identity of her father. On the eve of her wedding to Sky (Dominic Cooper), she brings three men, Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan), Bill Austin (Stellan Skarsgård) and Harry Bright (Colin Firth), from her mother Donna’s (Meryl Streep) past back to the Greek island they visited over two decades ago.

Cast:

  • Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan, Sophie’s mother.
  • Christine Baranski as Tanya, Donna’s friend.
  • Julie Walters as Rosie, Donna’s friend.
  • Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Donna’s daughter and Sky’s fiancée.
  • Dominic Cooper as Sky, Sophie’s fiancée.
  • Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, Sophie’s possible dad #1.
  • Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Sophie’s possible dad #2.
  • Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie’s possible dad #3.
  • Amanda Seyfried won the role of Sophie over other high profile contenders including Ashley Tisdale, Amanda Bynes and Mandy Moore.

Soundtrack: It has been suggested that the filmmakers have removed “Thank You For The Music”, “Under Attack” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You” from the movie. However, it is reported that “When All Is Said And Done”, the lead single in North America from ABBA’s 1981 and final studio album, The Visitors, will be included in the film as a new song not present in the stage musical. “When All Is Said And Done” was ABBA’s last top 30 hit in the United States.

Tracks:

  • “Mamma Mia” (as heard in the trailer)
  • “I Have A Dream” (as heard in the trailer)
  • “Dancing Queen”
  • “Money, Money, Money”
  • “SOS” (Meryl Streep said in an interview that she really wanted to sing SOS with Pierce Brosnan)
  • “Take a Chance on Me”
  • “When All Is Said and Done”
  • “Voulez-Vous”
  • “The Winner Takes It All” (This song is heard in an interview with Benny on SVT)
  • “Super Trouper” (Also heard (and seen) footage from the film in the interview with Benny)
  • “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” (as heard in new trailer)

Production: The picture was filmed in several different locations, including London, Venice, Morocco, Damouchari (a seaside hamlet in the Pelion area of Greece), Skopelos island and Skiathos island. Filming on Skiathos island began August 29th to 30th in the harbor, and in the bell tower for the wedding from August 30th to September 3rd. Filming on Skopelos island began on September 3rd and wrapped at the end of September. Locations in Skopelos included Agios Iannis tou Kastri, Kastani Beach and Agnondas.

Production offices for the film were based at Pinewood Studios and although the film is set on a Greek island, much was filmed on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios where lighting and temperature could be controlled.

The Mamma Mia trailer was released the week of December 10th, first on Entertainment Tonight, then released to the internet. A high quality version can be found on the film’s official website.

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