#1
Posted: 4/13/09 at 9:59am
Scary stuff!
As the highest grossing movie of all time in the UK, it was in inevitable that 'Mama Mia' would excite hopes of a sequel.
Bjorn Ulvaeus, who co-wrote the ABBA songs on which the musical is based, is, however,involved in extremely awkward dispute with his fellow producers over whether such a film should be made.
'It wouldn't work', the Swedish musician told those present, rather bluntly, at a party at the Cafe 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'.
Ulvaeus is understood to feel that afollow up 'would be for al the wrong reasons'. a friend of the 63 year old songwriter claims that he believes such a film would be produced only to add to the £434M that the original has made worldwide and would have no artistic justification.
'He says that all the most popular songs have been used in 'Mama Mia!' and is now more interested in other projects' says his friend.
Executives at Universal, the Hollywood studio, are said to be desperate for a sequel. and Judy Craymer, one of the six producers, says she is determined to persuade Ulvaeu and his fellow ABBA songwriter, Benny Andersson, who composed additional music for the film, to give the sequel the go ahead. 'I am sure Benny and Bjorn would do a sequel. I'm note sure they would want to wait as long to make another one. We would al be 95 in that case'
She added 'It would only be for a film version, not a stage musical. Of course who would you want for the main part but Meryl Streep again?'.
Catherine Johnson, the films screenwriter, is keen to repeat hers success. 'I would certainly be open to writing another' she has said on many occasions..
The pair seem to be hoping that Andersson, 62, who is more receptive to the idea, might persuade his close friend to agree.
'It may very well work'Anderrson has said of a sequel.
Streep has said she is very eager to appear. 'Grand Mamma Mia!' she joked. 'I like it! Oh I'm up for it-as long as you get those fabulous boys back again'.
Those 'fabulous boys' are, of course, her dashing co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Dominic Cooper.
As the highest grossing movie of all time in the UK, it was in inevitable that 'Mama Mia' would excite hopes of a sequel.
Bjorn Ulvaeus, who co-wrote the ABBA songs on which the musical is based, is, however,involved in extremely awkward dispute with his fellow producers over whether such a film should be made.
'It wouldn't work', the Swedish musician told those present, rather bluntly, at a party at the Cafe 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'.
Ulvaeus is understood to feel that afollow up 'would be for al the wrong reasons'. a friend of the 63 year old songwriter claims that he believes such a film would be produced only to add to the £434M that the original has made worldwide and would have no artistic justification.
'He says that all the most popular songs have been used in 'Mama Mia!' and is now more interested in other projects' says his friend.
Executives at Universal, the Hollywood studio, are said to be desperate for a sequel. and Judy Craymer, one of the six producers, says she is determined to persuade Ulvaeu and his fellow ABBA songwriter, Benny Andersson, who composed additional music for the film, to give the sequel the go ahead. 'I am sure Benny and Bjorn would do a sequel. I'm note sure they would want to wait as long to make another one. We would al be 95 in that case'
She added 'It would only be for a film version, not a stage musical. Of course who would you want for the main part but Meryl Streep again?'.
Catherine Johnson, the films screenwriter, is keen to repeat hers success. 'I would certainly be open to writing another' she has said on many occasions..
The pair seem to be hoping that Andersson, 62, who is more receptive to the idea, might persuade his close friend to agree.
'It may very well work'Anderrson has said of a sequel.
Streep has said she is very eager to appear. 'Grand Mamma Mia!' she joked. 'I like it! Oh I'm up for it-as long as you get those fabulous boys back again'.
Those 'fabulous boys' are, of course, her dashing co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Dominic Cooper.
Updated On: 4/13/09 at 09:59 AM
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