Michelle Pfeifer to Play Donna in Mamma Mia Movie?

[SayitSomehow]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 12:21pm

From Cinematical.com:

"Now that Michelle Pfeiffer remembered she can sing and dance and, as a result, took the Hairspray gig, she may be poised to become a real, live dancing queen. According to reports in the British press, Pfeiffer is one of a handful of names being seriously considered to play Donna, a single mother who is reacquainted with a trio of exes when her daughter invites them her a wedding, in the screen version of the ABBA musical, Mamma Mia!. The film is still in the very early stages: Catherine Johnson, who wrote the script for the musical, is currently at work on the screenplay with producer Judy Craymer, and it's thought that stage director Phyllida Lloyd may ultimately helm the movie.

Other names allegedly in the mix to play Donna are Kim Basinger (?!), Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep; production begins next summer."

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 12:28pm

Wow! A "Mamma Mia" movie! I love ABBA and I enjoyed "Mamma Mia" when it had it's US Premiere in San Francisco.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795421/

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 12:34pm

I like ABBA, but I was disappointed in 'Mamma Mia'. My favorite part of the show was the encore that was more of a concert. I think it would take a major rewrite of the book to work on film.

[xbRadxx]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 12:41pm

Meryl Streep!?! Mamma Mia! is an AMAZING show! When I first heard they were making a movie I was happy and kind of thinking"UH OH!"

[MadelineKahnFan]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:08pm

I love all the actresses beong considered for the part of Donna, but with all due respect give the part to the one who realy desreves and can sing. The one and only Cyndi Lauper. Its about time she got her due.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:14pm

I wish they would consider Olivia Newton-John. She has the perfect voice for the score.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:17pm

I forgot about ONJ. Since the part doesn't call for a great actress, I'm sure she would be a good Donna.

[so. much. drama.]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:18pm

alison janney. i don't care if she can't sing, she's my boyfriend.

[landryjames2]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:36pm

The only musical role that Meryl Streep should consider playing is Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (that is if Barbra Streisand isn't cast). Mamma Mia is beneath Streep in my opinion. (yes, I know that Sunset Boulevard is not really in the works at this time--and that Glenn Glose wants it anyway)

Michelle would be a lot of fun in Mamma Mia however.

[AshleyBrownFan123]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:39pm

Merlye as Norma would be Oscar-winning!

I vote Nicole for Donna and Ashley Tisdale as Sophie.

Updated On: 7/21/06 at 01:39 PM

Posted: 7/21/06 at 1:48pm

I still say it needs to be Olivia!

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 2:08pm

Definitely Olivia Newton John, as soon as someone mentioned her name, it totally clicked in my head.
Also, I thought Glenn was a lock for Norma? Or was that just speculation a few months ago?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 2:32pm

I've also heard ONJ rumours. She'd definitely be my first choice.

Kim Basinger is actually a good singer - you can rent THE MARRYING MAN to hear her vocals on a bunch of standards. I think she is a little aloof for something like MAMMA MIA, though.

The SUNSET BOULVARD movie is total speculation. It's not even in pure development; just being "talked" about. Glenn Close has said she would like to do the film of course, but there is no script, director, etc. at this time.
Updated On: 7/21/06 at 02:32 PM

Posted: 7/21/06 at 4:29pm

As much as I would love to see ONJ play Donna (and Kristen Bell as Sophie) I don't think it was a coincidence that Rita Wilson made her Broadway debut in Chicago right after Tom Hanks obtained the rights to Mama Mia. But I hope I'm wrong.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 4:50pm

Even with Tom Hanks producing it, Rita Wilson would never be greenlight by a film studio to headline a movie like this. She's just not a big enough name. Now, I could see her maybe playing the Karen Mason role but truth be told, if she really were trying to use Broadway as some kind of audition for this movie, why wouldn't she have just stepped into MAMMA MIA instead of CHICAGO?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 4:52pm

i wish they'd spend their money releasing ABBA: The Movie on DVD and not making this "thing" into a film. bleh

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 4:54pm

Ooo... Kristen Bell as Sophie? Now I like that idea.

~Steven

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 4:57pm

Kristen Bell would work. I'm not sure I see this show working that well on film. Or at least some of the sequences. But who knows, it's got such a following, I wonder if it would be a "hit" on film. I think it would take a great director to make it work (i.e. Chicago).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 5:08pm

Well, MAMMA MIA is such a silly show, the breaking into song aspect of the numbers is part of the joke. I think it would translate well to film. It's not a piece like RENT or CHICAGO which really needed a visionary to work in a completely different medium. Plus the inevitable location shots of the greek islands would make the movie wonderfuly aesthetic.

[NCGuy]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 5:19pm

i wish they'd spend their money releasing ABBA: The Movie...

Folkyboy, Amazon has it listed as available (apparently the Region 1 DVD finally came out in March of this year).
Abba: The Movie at Amazon

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 6:04pm

NO!!! I want Olivia Newton-John. Her casting would have such an appeal from the "retro" crowd, and she's so extremely likable on screen. She would be the perfect Donna.

Producers, take note: Send her flowers, treat her nice, and COAX her into this part!

[mominator]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 6:24pm

I am not a huge fan, but ONJ is the perfect choice.
Any word on who may be playing the dads?

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 6:49pm

Olivia is a great idea! I'm not saying it's great music or filmography, but let's face it, Grease IS popular. I loved it when I was about 8 and I know 9 year olds that love it today. It would be a great draw - the older crowd is familiar with her and the young crowd would love to see "the main girl from Grease" in another musical. Plus, she can REALLY sing.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 7:45pm

"Any word on who may be playing the dads?"

How about Dennis Quaid as one of them? He sang pretty well in The Big Easy and The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/21/06 at 8:01pm

Newton-John is the only good idea on this thread.

Perfect.

Brilliant, even.