Mamma Mia - Why the name change?

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 8:14am

Last night I saw the Mamma Mia movie. Loved it, although nothing beats seeing it live in the theatre.

Just curious on why they changed Bill's full name from Bill Austin to Bill Anderson? Not a big deal, but didn't understand why they didn't just leave it.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 8:26am

Maybe as a shout out to Benny Andersson, of ABBA? Or maybe because Stellan Skarsgard is Scandinavian.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 8:40am

Given the change, I'm suprised they didn't spell the last name as Andersson. You clearly see Anderson on the envelope.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 10:23am

They made Bill a Swede for the film-version (hence the Swedish flag on his boat). Also, Stellan is Swedish.

[MusicalMan76]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 11:02am

Yeah... From what I recall, Bill Austin (in the stage production) was Australian, where he was unmistakeably European in the film production.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 12:14pm

Thanks. That makes sense. He is Australian in the stage production.