MAMMA MIA! - The Movie Musical....a little heads-up for those clueless ones

Here's a little update on the upcoming film-adaption of the musical MAMMA MIA! for those who've been out-of-the-loop. Yes, I'm know most of this has been stated before, but just helping those unawared ones.


MAMMA MIA, MERYL GETS TO SNOG BOND!

The Oscar-winning actress stars in the movie based on the mega-hit stage musical MAMMA MIA!, featuring the songs of ABBA in which Meryl plays free-spirit Donna, whose daughter, Sophie, decides to get married.

One of the musical's main strands involves Donna's three former suitors, each of whom could be Sophie's father. Former Bond, Pierce Brosnan will play rugged Sam and the film will focus more on his romance with Donna.

Colin Firth has been confirmed to play 'headbanger' Harry, while Stellan Skarsgard, a popular actor thanks to his Bootstrap Bill in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, is in final negotiations to play Bill. Interestingly, the part was ear-marked for his Pirates co-star Bill Nighy, but he has other plans. An executive on the picture observed: 'You'll certainly be able to tell that Donna slept with all of them'.

Meryl, a trained singer, will sing "SOS" with Brosnan, before going on to warble numbers with her character's close friends, and one-time pop-group members, being played by Julie Walters (Rosie) and Christine Baranski (Tanya). By the way, Ms. Baranski played the hard-drinking Maryann in the 90's CBS TV sitcom CYBILL (opposite Cybill Shepherd) and I recall MAMMA MIA! boss Judy Cramer, who is also producing the film, telling me how Maryann was the inspiration for some of Tanya's character traits.

Three songs from the stage show - still enjoying a money-making run worldwide - have been dropped - "Thank You For The Music", "Under Attack" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You", although the movie introduces another ABBA number, "When All Is Said And Done".

The cast has already recorded the playback score, including Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, who play the engaged couple. Rehearsals are currently underway with director Phyllida Lloyd then ten weeks of filming at Pinewood in June, followed by five weeks' location shooting on a Greek island.

I'm sad they cut "Thank You For the Music". That's one of my favorite songs from the show and on of my favorite ABBA songs in general.

I'm sad to see "Knowing Me..." cut, but I do like "When All Is Said and Done." I wonder when they would do that song. Well, actually, just like any of the other songs, it can be sung anywhere in the plot and it would make sense, haha.

~Steven

I loved "Under Attack."

I'm a little upset they cut that song.

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As much as I like the song, Under Attack DID look silly onstage, as Millie said... Would look even more ridiculous onscreen.

i was recording something at air studios in london when meryl streep and the abba guys came out, obviously had been putting some tracks down. i thought it seemed v early, but they've got to have something to film to, i suppose.

Many songs should be cut, especially from the second section. The show goes from book musical in act 1 to rock opera in act 2.

Thankfully, they cut the 3 songs that most didn't further the plot. Thank You For The Music is a character song, Under Attack is a traditional, peppy act 2 opener, and Knowing Me, Knowing You blends in with everything else.

As much as I had fun at the show, a lot of the songs were presented ridiculously onstage. For example, during "Lay All Your Love On Me," the guys stomping in scuba gear just ruined the feeling of the song for me.

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I'm still mad that Cher as Tanya and Bette as Rosie didn't work out... But don't get me wrong, I'll be seeing this movie on opening night, or hopefully earlier, if possible!

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"The show goes from book musical in act 1 to rock opera in act 2. "
THANK YOU, YANKEE! haha, yeah, i just remember Donna singing like ten million songs in a row, all sitting in the little bedroom with Sophie, Sam, and herself. id say the majority of Act II was spent with her just sitting in that bedroom...

anyways, glad theyre cutting those 3 songs, esp. "Thank You For the Music"

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Well, "Under Attack" might have looked silly on stage, but the lyrics definitely further the plot...It's a shame it was cut. It really gives voice to what Sophie is going through.

I am *SO* excited for the movie, though!!

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