The Mamma Mia franchise has been an international sensation, and it seems that the third installment is finally within reach.
After years of speculation and hopes from fans, producer Judy Craymer has revealed that Mamma Mia 3 is very close to getting the green light.
Following the billion-dollar success of the first two films, Craymer has always envisioned a trilogy, and now, it looks like her dream is about to become a reality.
Progress on the Movie’s Development
With the blessing of ABBA and Universal, who have both given their approval to the project, Mamma Mia 3 is edging closer to production.
The stars of the first two films are on board, with only a couple of key actors yet to fully commit.
There’s even a possibility that the film could feature new music from ABBA, thanks to their 2021 album Voyage, which includes the hit single I Still Have Faith In You.
The Journey of Mamma Mia
The first Mamma Mia! film was a massive hit, grossing $611 million on a modest $52 million budget.
It was based on the 1999 stage musical, which was created by Judy Craymer.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the plot revolved around a bride-to-be, played by Amanda Seyfried, who invited three possible fathers—played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård—to her wedding.
The cast was rounded out by Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters.
The Greek island of Skopelos served as the perfect backdrop for this feel-good jukebox musical.
Will the Cast Return?
Meryl Streep, who made an appearance as a ghost in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Pierce Brosnan have both shown interest in returning for the third film.
Streep recently hinted at a meeting with Craymer, while Brosnan expressed his enthusiasm in an interview.
However, Amanda Seyfried has voiced some concerns about the financial side of the production.
In a candid conversation with Vogue, she acknowledged that no one has said “no” to the idea, but the budget may be an obstacle to securing the full cast.
The Legacy of Mamma Mia
As Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again showed, there’s a lot of love for this musical franchise.
But fans will be eagerly awaiting to see if Universal can pull together the resources necessary for the final chapter.
Despite the challenges, Craymer is optimistic that the third movie will happen, even if it takes a bit of time and negotiation.
For now, everyone is patiently waiting for the official confirmation.
The Full Monty Star Mark Addy Reflects on His Iconic Role
In a lighter note, Mark Addy, best known for his role in The Full Monty, shared a funny yet cringe-worthy story about his kids’ reaction to a recent re-watch of the 1997 classic.
Although the movie was a smash hit, Addy’s children couldn’t help but cover their eyes when his character was in a less-than-dignified moment.
It’s a memorable and awkward chapter in Addy’s career, but he’s embraced it with humor.
Melania Trump Docufilm In the Works
A highly anticipated docufilm about Melania Trump is currently in production.
Directed by Brett Ratner, the film will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the former First Lady.
Not only will Melania be the star of the film, but she’s also serving as an executive producer.
With a $40 million production budget, the film will explore her life away from the spotlight, focusing on her role as the wife of Donald Trump and mother to their son, Barron.
It’s expected to be released later this year on Prime Video.
Bafta Rising Stars Share Embarrassing Moments
As the Bafta Rising Star shortlist is revealed, several up-and-coming actors have shared stories of their most embarrassing moments in the industry.
Marisa Abela, nominated for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse, recalls a particularly cringeworthy audition for an Italian biscuit ad.
Meanwhile, David Jonsson, who starred in Alien: Romulus, shares a memorable experience with his director during the making of Rye Lane.
Josh O’Connor: The New Bond?
The buzz around who will play the next James Bond is heating up, and the latest frontrunner is Josh O’Connor.
After his impressive performance in The Crown and Challengers, O’Connor has captured the attention of bookies, who now have him at the top of the list for the iconic role.
His competition includes Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but it looks like O’Connor might be edging ahead in the race for 007.
Citadel’s Filming Drama: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden’s Tension
The second season of Citadel has wrapped, but not without some drama behind the scenes.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who stars in the spy series, shared a post celebrating the end of filming—without mentioning her co-star Richard Madden.
Sources claim that the two didn’t click on set, and their tension continued during the publicity tour.
While Citadel was slow to gain traction in the West, it’s been a massive hit in India, largely due to Chopra Jonas’s star power.
Nick Park Shares a Wallace & Gromit Disaster Story
Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit, shared a hilarious mishap involving mice eating the rivets off a rocket ship model he kept in his attic.
The model, featured in A Grand Day Out from 1989, was intended for close-up shots.
However, Park discovered that mice had nibbled through the enamel paint and split peas, rendering the rocket unusable.
Kevin Costner’s Netflix Success After Cinema Flop
After a disastrous release of Horizon Part 1 in theaters, Kevin Costner is enjoying some redemption on Netflix.
The film, which was a massive box office failure, has been trending globally on the streaming platform, with millions of views in its first week.
This marks a bright spot for Costner, who faced personal and professional struggles, including a painful divorce in 2023.
Wicked Eyes Oscars After Golden Globe Disappointment
The cast and crew behind Wicked are gearing up for a hard push for the Oscars, following a lackluster performance at the Golden Globes.
With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande losing out to other nominees, and the film itself being overshadowed by Emilia Perez, Wicked is now focusing on securing nominations for the Academy Awards.
Voting for the Oscars opened on January 10, with the nominations set to be announced on January 19.