With a show that’s as popular as Momma Mia, I’m surprised they haven’t made a movie of it already. Now Tom Hanks and his partner have closed a deal to do just that. The good folks over at ComingSoon give us this:
The filmmakers are eyeing release by late 2007. The show’s book writer, Catherine Johnson, is penning the screenplay, which will stick closely to the crowd-pleasing musical’s plot. Raised on a Greek island by a formerly rebellious mom who never disclosed the identity of her father, a bride-to-be locates three men who might be her father and invites them to her wedding. The resulting conflict triggers 22 ABBA hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All.”
Ok, that all sounds good. However (and a ton of female readers are going to hate me for this) but I honestly don’t think this will make much of a movie.
I saw the stage show about 2 years ago… and while it was kinda fun to hear all those ABBA tunes… the story itself was really weak and flimsy. But who cares? People where there to hear the music… and on that level it was a great show. BUT… a movie?!?! I don’t think it’ll work. But the producers won’t care about that… because it’ll make $100 million at the box office EASY.
Your thoughts?
I just saw MOMMA MIA the movie at it’s premiere in Hollywood tonight. It is fantastic, hysterically funny, great music, great singing, great scenery, and Meryl Streep is absolutely fantastic. This movie is upbeat and makes you want to get up and dance. With all the crappy movies that Hollywood has been putting out the last few years, they made a mistake and showed us that they can actually make quality movies when they get off their butts and apply themselves.
Please check out the website http://www.mommamiamovie.com for the preview and the making of the movie video and then go see the movie.
Well… I think the leads should be STARS.. and I think this movie would be HOOT with Liza, Meryl and Bette… What a CAST!!!
Answer to brian knights question: abba is not in mamma mia! because annafred has gone off to an island and no one has seen her since 1893!
I hear Pierce Brosnen, Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried are in it!! Can’t see Pierce singing as he is Sam Carmichael! I’ve seen Mamma Mia! in the point theater in Dublin and it was brill!!
I just saw Mamma Mia on stage for the third time. What a great show! Seeing the success of Chicago, I think a Mamma Mia film could work with the right cast.
That’s where Rent failed — using the (most of) the original Broadway cast, who were all unknown except for Jesse L. Martin, and who were now 10 years older than their characters.
This film is going to star Meryl Streep. I don’t care how weak and flimsy the plot might me. Meryl is a genius with whatever she’s got to work with. I can’t wait to here her sing again.
I’ve seen the show just once, but it was a blast!! I’m looking forward to the movie, with Meryl in the lead role (although I kinda fell in love with Laurie Wells that day)!!! ;)
Don’t take the actual story too seriously, folks. It’s just a celebration of ABBA’s wonderful music at the core. That alone will make the movie a success. When it comes out, go see it with a few friends/family members and have fun!!
i heard meryl streep is in negotiatons for the role of donna, inspired casting i think….chhers, tom
You are all aware that this will be based on the book more so then the musical right!?
I cannot wait for the movie. I saw the stage show in Vegas, and it was the best musical I’ve seen. Everything was great. Hopefully, they’ll keep some of the cast members in the movie.
I’m stoked for this movie. I could care less about the storyline. The music will make it worthwhile. “Muriel’s Wedding” incorporated many ABBA tunes into the storyline and that made the movie as well. I’m a huge ABBA fan and can’t wait until this movie comes out!
I am overjoyed at the news of this movie! I am a Broadway addict; this afternoon a friend and i went to see Chicago and then out to dinner. Well, over dinner we talked about our favorite musicals and I said how much i wished that they’d make Mamma Mia! into a movie. When she told me they were, I almost fell out of my chair. I absolutely adore the music, and even with a less than solid story line, the enjoyment to be gained from it is awesome. now all they have to do is continue on with this trend of turning musicals into movies and make Wicked and Les Miserables into movies!!I am overjoyed at the news of this movie! I am a Broadway addict; this afternoon a friend and i went to see Chicago and then out to dinner. Well, over dinner we talked about our favorite musicals and I said how much i wished that they’d make Mamma Mia! into a movie. When she told me they were, I almost fell out of my chair. I absolutely adore the music, and even with a less than solid story line, the enjoyment to be gained from it is awesome. now all they have to do is continue on with this trend of turning musicals into movies and make Wicked and Les Miserables into movies!!<3
I can’t wait – the music has stood EVERY test of time – in fact, I wasn’t looking forward to going to see the stage show – but was overwhelmed – emotion, emotion, emotion – that’s what we’re all lacking – and the plot has it all – fair enough, it’s not based on a best-selling historical novel – so what? – i cried and laughed at them both – but will ALWAYS remember Mama Mia for taking my heart to a place it hadn’t been for a long time . . .
I am very excited for this movie to be made…it is one of my favorite musicals, and Laurie Wells Would be sooo fantastic as Donna!
i hope kylie minogue isn’t in it…
however, i saw the US touring cast in 2005 and 2006 and i thoroughly enjoyed the performances by bekah nutt (2005), lauren mufson (2005), mary mossberg (2006), and carrie manolakos (2006).
i think any of them would be great in the movie roles.
I saw it tonight and just got home. It was GREAT and i’de like to see it as a movie since I could own it but It would be nothing like the musical i saw just a few hours ago in person.
This is going to me interesting, especially being that word is out that Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks and co-producer of this film) wants the lead role to go to Kylie Minogue. Actually having seem Mamma Mia several times I can actually Kylie pulling it off and probably doing a damn good job at it!
This is going to me interesting, especially being that word is out that Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks and co-producer of this film) wants the lead role to go to Kylie Minogue. Actually having seem Mamma Mia several times I can actually Kylie pulling it off and probably doing a damn good job at it!
I would like to suggest putting ABBA into the Mamma Mia movie. This can be done on three levels.
In the first scenario they simply sit in the background as guests during the songs Money, Money, Money, Thank You For The Music and Mamma Mia. You could then bump it up to have Bjorn and Annifrid play the parents of Donna and the grandparents of Sophie. Give them a couple of lines and that would be it. Why Bjorn and Annifrid as the parents? This is where you move up to level three of my suggestion.
Finally after the bachelorette party and the songs Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and The Name of the Game you could move the camera angle from the party to the beach, as you pan the camera along the beach you focus on a campfire. As you zoom onto the camp fire you find Bjorn and Annifrid sitting around the fire and Bjorn has a guitar. As he starts to strum the beginning cords to Fernando, Benny and Agnetha walk out of the shadows and sit down and sing along with Bjorn and Annifrid. Finally you get the one song missing from the play.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
You must find the Greek isle in the play in the actual Greece and make the movie on location. Just like Jesus Christ Superstar, HELP, and other on-location musicals the production must be made in a real place, not some back lot or California for Greece location. If you have to put an entire orchestra behind the camera make sure the singing is done on location and not ADRed in the studio after the filming has taken place.
Finally don’t use big name stars. Take the best of the best of all the Mamma Mia casts from around the world and use them. Like other musical show which bring in big name stars you will distract from the play and drama.
At the end of the movie make sure you put the three bonus songs Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Waterloo in the end credits or a separate production before you run the credits. At this point you could move the movie from the Greek isle location and put the entire cast on a real stage in the same costumes used by the regular Mamma Mia production.
It’ll be interesting to see if the film will be like the show. I’ve read it’ll stick closely to the film, but I’m wondering how close!
I’d prefer the show to be filmed, like they did Cats, Joseph, Oklahoma etc. With the original London cast too.
I’ve seen this show 26 times and its soo amazing! it will be a great movie and make lots and lots of money.
I have seen Mamma Mia! on and off broadway twice and i absolutely thought it amazing!! I cannot wait to see how the movies turns out. If it turns out the way The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Chicago and the others did, then im sure it will be a success!
Hi there! I think Tom Hanks and the creative team behind Mamma mia! the musical have also heard the comments on the plot. If you would be part of the creative team, wouldn’t you do your utmost best to prove the critics wrong and make sure that Mamma mia! the movie indeed will be a great movie to see? We’ll wait and see…
Ive been an abba fan since 1975 and have enjoyed mamma mia the musical at least 4 times and cant wait for the movie im overjoyed
These days there’s so very little good new music! … I think anyone who at all likes the music of ABBA (and there are millions that do!) will enjoy this movie. I know the storyline of Mamma Mia (The Musical) is weak, but it’s not to be taken serious anyways! I think had they known it was to be such a MASSIVE hit, they would have done a better job of writing. BUT, it’s the energetic songs of ABBA that are to be enjoyed and the memories it brings back of a time when plenty of good music had dominated our society!
Terry
i am so going to see the movie momma mia the musical was awsome and well i am shure the movie will be just as good. if not at least the music will be. hell if i could i would even try out for a roll in the movie maybe be a extra as one of the chorus boys. that is my dream to be in a musical on broadway or a movie of a musical. any way tom hanks i can gaurentee you i will be shure to catch momma mia the movie your momma mia fan andrew keel
Depends on who directs the movie. If it’s Lassee Hallstrom I’ll look forward to seeing it.
“However (and a ton of female readers are going to hate me for this) but I honestly don’t think this will make much of a movie.”
Don’t worry John, I haven’t been offended in the slightest. I found Mamma Mia’s plot to be trite and irritating, and detracted from the music. I won’t be going to see this movie, even if it is backed by Tom Hanks.
I’d rather see “Wicked” made into a movie.