74-year-old Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep has expressed willingness to return to the beloved Mamma Mia universe. Despite her character, Donna, being killed off in the 2018 sequel ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,’ Streep has suggested potential plot twists that could breathe new life into her role. In a recent interview with Vogue, she stated, “I told [producer and creator] Judy if she could figure out a way to reincarnate Donna, I’m into that.”
Fans Demand More Despite Character Deaths
Mamma Mia’s creator, Judy Craymer, acknowledged the fan backlash she received for killing off Streep’s character in the sequel. However, she expressed optimism regarding the possibilities for future installments, saying, “We went back and forth in time with the second one, so now we have the creative license to explore this world further.”
The Cast Weighs In
Stellan Skarsgård, who played Bill in the films, mentioned that the cast would not shy away from participating in another sequel. Amanda Seyfried, portraying Streep’s on-screen daughter, Sophie, seemed less optimistic but not entirely closed off to the idea. Seyfried raised concerns about fair compensation but also acknowledged, “I know that we’d all be more than happy to hang out again.”
Possible Directions for the Next Installment
While speaking to Vogue, Streep added humorously that they may have to call the next movie “Grand-Mamma Mia!” Given the time it may take to develop the film. Craymer mentioned that future storylines could explore what happened to Lily James’s version of young Donna or provide closure for characters like Sam and Harry.
Budget Concerns for a Star-Studded Cast
The financial aspect may be a hindrance to making the third film a reality. Seyfried indicated that budgeting might be an issue, stating, “The powers that be probably can’t afford us to be honest.”
A Journey from Broadway to the Silver Screen
Mamma Mia! was originally a Broadway musical created by Judy Craymer, based on the songs of pop group ABBA. It found immense success in its cinematic adaptations, with the first film released in 2008, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and followed by a sequel in 2018 helmed by Ol Parker. Apart from the key characters, the films have also featured actors like Christine Baranski and Julie Walters.
Although the probability of a third Mamma Mia! movie remains uncertain, the interest among the cast and the creator suggests that the beloved series may have a fighting chance for another sequel. While the questions of budget and plot remain, one thing is for sure: fans are eager to see more.