Summary
- Cast expresses excitement about potential Mamma Mia! 3, but Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson are treating it with caution due to the lack of musical options and the need for a compelling script.
- The challenge with the third film is to create a compelling story while maintaining the quality of execution that the franchise is known for.
- Oh mom! 3 would have to stretch the plot even further and deviate even further from already established character dynamics to succeed.
The prospect of Mamma Mia! 3 excites some actors, but not everyone is completely on board. Based on the music of the popular group ABBA, Mamma Mia! Originally created as a theatrical musical, it debuted in 1999. In 2008, the musical was adapted into a film of the same name. Mamma Mia! was successful enough to warrant a sequel to Mamma Mia! Here we go again.
Speaking to Vogue, several actors expressed excitement about the possibility of another sequel. Amanda Seyfried urges: “I challenge you to find me one person who doesn’t want a third Mamma Mia!” Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan would be on board if Mamma Mia! A third film was due to happen, and even actor Dominic Cooper said he was “desperate to do it.” However, ABBA members Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson reacted completely differently. Member Bjorn Ulvaeus responded:
Ulvaeus: We haven’t heard any ideas at the moment. I’d only want to watch another one if I’m really interested in the script. It’s much easier to make a second film than a third. This time I will have to be even more convinced. (…) Never say never, but it seems to me that there simply won’t be enough songs for the third Mamma Mia!
Andersson: One of the reasons, Mamma Mia! it works so well because all the songs are familiar. Personally, I think the first Mamma Mia! it’s really good. Music in Mamma Mia! “Here We Go Again” is good, but I don’t really like the story because it had no plot and no Katherine Johnson.
The challenge of creating Mamma Mia! 3
Although the plot merits of Mamma Mia! original questionable, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again lacked the intensity of the first film. This may have something to do with Andersson’s explanation that the film lacks the influence of Katherine Johnson, the playwright of Mamma Mia! on which the first film was based. To make a third Mamma Mia film, the production team would have to stretch the plot even further and deviate even further from the character dynamics established in the musical.
However, the biggest problem with making a third Mamma Mia! lives in songs. This is something both Andersson and Ulvaeus emphasized, stating that they “don’t think there are enough songs for a third Mamma Mia!” Although ABBA has other songs in its repertoire, even Mamma Mia! To compose the soundtrack, Here We Go Again had to reprise the band’s most classic songs, including Dancing Queen and the title track of Mamma Mia!.
Much like the story, Mamma Mia! 3 was hanging on for the last few songs. Andersson, a big part of the appeal of the Mamma Mia! it’s the quality of singing. Movie theaters took advantage of this by continuing to hold special screenings of Mamma Mia! in which viewers can sing along thanks to karaoke-style subtitles. Using lesser-known ABBA songs would reduce this effect, ultimately weakening all future Mamma Mia!
Source: Vogue