Breaking News: Mamma Mia 3 Discloses Cast's Stand, Unveils ABBA's Take on Highly Anticipated Sequel

Summary

The potential release of Mamma Mia! 3 has garnered enthusiasm from the cast members, although Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson remain cautious. Their hesitance stems from the lack of available songs and the requirement for an engaging script.

Creating a compelling narrative and preserving the beloved sing-along essence that defines the franchise stand as the primary obstacles in producing a third film. Crafting Mamma Mia! 3 would demand an even more intricate storyline and a departure from the established character dynamics, all with the aim of achieving success.

The prospect of a third installment of Mamma Mia! has generated enthusiasm among some cast members, although not everyone is fully onboard. Originally created as a jukebox musical for the stage in 1999, Mamma Mia! is based on the music of ABBA, a popular Europop band. The musical was later adapted into a film in 2008, also titled Mamma Mia! The success of the first film led to the creation of a sequel titled Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

In a conversation with Vogue, several cast members expressed their excitement about the possibility of a third film. Amanda Seyfried confidently challenged, "I dare you to find a single person who doesn't want a third Mamma Mia!" Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan all expressed their willingness to participate in Mamma Mia! 3, and Dominic Cooper even revealed his eagerness, stating, "I am dying to do it." However, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, members of ABBA, had a significantly different response to the idea. Bjorn Ulvaeus, in particular, responded:

Ulvaeus: We haven't received any ideas yet. I would only be interested in another film if I am genuinely excited about the script. It's easier for me to be enthusiastic about a second film rather than a third. This time, I need even more convincing. [...] I wouldn't completely rule it out, but I don't believe there are enough songs for a third Mamma Mia!

Andersson: One of the reasons Mamma Mia! is so successful is because of the familiarity of the songs. Personally, I think the first Mamma Mia! is really well-done. The music in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is good, but I am not as enthusiastic about the storyline since it lacks a story and the presence of Catherine Johnson.

The Challenge of Making Mamma Mia 3

The original Mamma Mia!'s storyline may be questionable, and unfortunately, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again lacked the same cohesion as its predecessor. This may be attributed to Andersson's explanation that the film lacked the influence of Mamma Mia! playwright Catherine Johnson, who based the original film on her musical. If a third Mamma Mia film were to be made, the production team would have to stretch the storyline even thinner and stray further from the established character dynamics in the stage musical.

However, the biggest challenge in creating a third Mamma Mia! film lies in the songs. Both Andersson and Ulvaeus acknowledge that there may not be enough songs for another Mamma Mia! installment. Although ABBA has a larger discography, even Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again had to include the band's most iconic songs, such as Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia!, again to fill its soundtrack.

Mamma Mia! 3 would struggle to find suitable music, just like its plot. The sing-along quality is a major draw for the Mamma Mia! movies, and movie theaters have taken advantage of this by organizing special screenings with karaoke-like captions for the audience. However, using lesser-known ABBA songs would diminish this appeal and weaken any future Mamma Mia! films.