Mamma Mia! 3: Everything we know so far

❘ Updated: 2023-09-13T14:31:39

Universal Pictures

Mamma Mia! 3 is definitely on the cards confirms producer

Here we go again? Here’s everything we know about Mamma Mia 3, including any release date updates, cast, plot, and more.

Mamma Mia! has truly grown into a global musical phenomenon, having started its days on the stage with a heartwarming script penned by Catherine Johnson backed by singalong hits from ABBA’s repertoire. Following its premiere in London’s West End back in 1999, the romcom juggernaut was made into a movie in 2008, which grew into as much of a hit as its namesake tune, drawing in an estimated $611 million worldwide on a $52 million budget.

Though it didn’t fare so well in the ratings, earning just 55% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics, Mamma Mia enjoys a dedicated fanbase, with numerous elements contributing to its success. Alongside a heartfelt plot, summery location, and catchy songs from Sweden’s pop royalty, the casting is spectacular, fearing the likes of Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and Christine Baranski… phew.

Though fans had to wait an entire decade, Mamma Mia 2, titled Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (of course), did finally reach the big screen in 2018. Although it didn’t quite earn as much as its predecessor, it still bagged $402.3 million, with many hailing it a better movie thanks to its flashier dance routines, a standout performance from Lily James as young Donna, and, well, Cher. So, with talks of a third movie on the cards, here’s everything we know about Mamma Mia 3.

Will there be a Mamma Mia 3?

Although Mamma Mia 3 is yet to be confirmed, Judy Craymer – the woman who conceptualized Mamma Mia! and produced on the movies – recently teased that it’s very close to going ahead.

Thanks to a new interview with Variety, the chances of fans getting their prayers answered is all the more likely.

While speaking with the outlet, Mamma Mia! Producer Judy Craymer confirmed that she has plans to make a third film and that acting legend Meryl Streep is excited to come back and play Donna one last time.

“I am so hands on with everything that I can only do so much. So the TV show has been a big priority. I’m sure [the third movie] will happen. I’m in the privileged position that I have Universal Studios wanting to do it, who I love working with, and I have a storyline. It just always takes a certain amount of time with “Mamma Mia.” Bjorn and Benny always take a certain amount of convincing.

I don’t know how much more convincing they’re gonna have because everybody wants another film. But they had ABBA Voyage and then they wanted a rest from ABBA stuff. But it will happen. We’ve done the television show and now maybe I’ll focus on the movie. Maybe that’ll be a second 25-year celebration.”

Is there a Mamma Mia 3 release date?

No, since it still hasn’t been given the official green light, Mamma Mia 3 doesn’t have a release date right now. But we’ll be sure to keep this space updated upon any announcements.

Mamma Mia 3 cast: Who’d be in it?

If Mamma Mia 3 goes ahead, there’s no doubt it would deliver another starry cast, with many familiar faces expressing their interest in reprising their roles in the franchise.

This was teased by Craymer, who told Deadline that she’d figured out a way to bring back all of the fan fave cast and characters, which includes:

Meryl Streep as Donna
Pierce Brosnan as Sam
Colin Firth as Harry
Stellan Skarsgård as Bill
Christine Baranski as Tanya
Julie Walters as Rosie
Amanda Seyfried as Sophie
Dominic Cooper as Sky
Rachel McDowall as Lisa
Ricardo Montez as Stannos
Mia Soteriou as Arina
Philip Michael as Pepper
Niall Buggy as Father Alex
Ashley Lilley as Ali
Cher as Ruby

Considering we’ve already journeyed back to the past in the sequel, it’s yet to be seen whether any of the younger iterations of the characters will be back for the third outing. Although given Lily James’ success as the young Donna, we certainly can’t rule it out.

Seyfried, who plays Donna’s daughter and the bride-to-be in the first movie, is not saying no. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight earlier this year, she explained: “I have absolutely no power, but we are waiting for the call. Do you know what I mean? There are enough ABBA songs, Judy Craymer is 100% on board. I don’t know what the Universal people are doing.”

As for Dominic Cooper, who plays Sophie’s husband Sky, he told Collider last year that he’s “not sure”, adding: “I did send out a text to the producer, immediately when that album got so well reviews and I’d heard a couple of the songs. I was like, ‘That’s phenomenal! They’re doing some new music again! Excellent!’ But who knows? I don’t know.”

Brosnan is also keen, telling Good Morning America in October 2022: “I’m in, too. Sure. It’s criminal how much fun you have on that movie. I think everybody would be in… I’m sure there’s some plans.”

However, and this is where we enter spoiler territory for Mamma Mia 2, there is a big question mark over whether Streep could come back as Donna.

Despite being such an integral part of the first two movies, fans will be well aware that her character sadly died at the end of the sequel. That being said, Craymer did announce that the star “should come back,” meaning they could find a way for Donna to appear – whether that be in ghostly form or flashbacks.

As Stellan Skarsgård stated in a recent Vogue piece: “I will be in an urn by the time there’s a script for Mamma Mia 3, but I will gladly participate as a pile of ashes,” to which Streep responded, “We may have to call it Grand-Mamma Mia! by the time we make it.” Meaning that she’s definitely not out of the picture yet.

meryl streep being down for mamma mia 3 is the biggest plot twist of 2023 pic.twitter.com/i7qyH2hTfp
— 𝗲𝘃𝗮✨👻 (@kellmanstreep) September 12, 2023

We could also see some new faces make an appearance, but for now all we can do is play the waiting game. We’ll be sure to keep this section updated as and when new information rolls in.

Mamma Mia 3 plot: What will it be about?

While no official plot details have been shared for Mamma Mia 3, there are a number of directions the movie could go in, especially since there’ll be no more of the mother-daughter bond between Sophie and Donna to focus on.

Instead, the threequel could look at Sophie’s bond with her new son, or it could explore the former dynamics between Donna and her mom, played by Cher. Or it could turn the focus towards Sky and his background.

Lily James had other ideas while speaking with the Radio Times following the release of Here We Go Again, saying: “We laughed that it could be Mamma Mia! The DNA test. You finally find out who the father is.”

But Amanda Seyfried doesn’t think it needs to get too bogged down with the plot details. “I mean, who cares? The plot doesn’t even matter at this point,” she told Variety. “ABBA’s got new songs; throw them in there. Get the cast together again. Meryl will absolutely come back for the entirety of it. Or else.”

Is there a Mamma Mia 3 trailer?

No, there isn’t a trailer for Mamma Mia 3 right now. You can check out the trailer for the sequel and relive some of those memories below:

That’s everything we know about Mamma Mia 3. In the meantime, check out our other upcoming movie and TV hubs below: