Liz Smith Dishes on 'MAMMA MIA!' Big Screen Sequel

Gossip maven Liz Smith has written about the hoped for, but unplanned sequel to the mega hit big screen musical Mamma Mia! in her recent column on WowOWow.com.

While what Smith reports isn't "new news", BWW reported on both elements of her story weeks ago, it is interesting that she has stirred the pot again regarding a follow-up to the successful flick. Maybe Liz loves her 'Mammia Mia!' and ABBA and wants more, audiences the world over would surely agree as the film has been a blockbuster on video and the stage production continues to enchant. With a worldwide gross of over $2 Billion, MAMMA MIA! is acclaimed by the Associated Press as "quite simply, a phenomenon."

Acting icon Meryl Streep stated late last year that she would to return for a Mamma Mia! sequel - but only if movie bosses can "get those fabulous boys back". Those "boys" who starred alongside Streep in the Abba-inspired summer hit are Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard.

Each "boy", not known for having any musical skills, all threw themselves into the singing and dancing roles. Their on-screen chemistry with Streep was one of the highlights of the summer blockbuster. Streep continued to comment that she would "love to reunite the cast for a follow-up. Grand Mamma Mia! I like it! I'm up for doing a sequel, as long as you can get those fabulous boys back! It's so gratifying it has been this phenomenon around the work. It says there's an audience for something that appeals to a lot of women, something that might make them some money too."

Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus on the other hand is not happy with the rumored plan for a MAMMA MIA! movie sequel, "It wouldn't work," the Swedish musician told the reporter at a party at the Café de Paris to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hit West End show that inspired the film.

"I don't think we would do a sequel. We have moved on to other projects now." MAMMA MIA! is highest-grossing film of all time in the UK, and it was inevitable that Mamma Mia! would excite hopes of potentially lucrative sequel. Ulvaeus is understood to feel that a follow-up "would be made for all the wrong reasons". To read the entire Telegraph article click here.

An unprecedented worldwide box office phenomenon, Mamma Mia! The Movie has already been proclaimed the fastest selling DVD of all time in the U.K. after first-day sales reached 1.6 million units, surpassing the previous decade-long record holder Titanic on November 24, 2008 by over a half-million units, or 50 percent of total sales. 

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a tiny Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Songs including "Dancing Queen"; "The Winner Takes It All"; "Money, Money, Money" and "Take A Chance on Me" are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.

Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing MAMMA MIA! to theatrical life includes some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design byHoward Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! plays on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway).

Ticket prices range from $62.75 -$121.50, including a $1.50 Shubert facility fee. Tickets are available by calling the MAMMA MIA! hotline at (212) 563-5544/(800) 432-7250; in person at the Winter Garden Box Office or online at www.telecharge.com/mamma-miaand www.mamma-mia.com

For more information about MAMMA MIA! around the world visit: www.mamma-mia.com.