By Ryan Parsons | Image property of respective holders, Variety.
Mamma Mia!
Universal is hoping for a summer start for Mamma
Mia! and to kick things off they have picked up Meryl Streep to
star.
Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia!
The bigscreen adaptation of the hit musical is
coming with the help of Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson,
Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who are all set to produce.
To keep the film faithful to the source material, Phyllida Lloyd, who directed
the original Mamma in London as well as its Broadway incarnation,
will make her feature directing debut on the adaptation.
Mamma Mia! tells the story of a bride-to-be who never met
her father and was raised by a formerly rebellious single mother (Streep).
The daughter invites three likely paternal candidates to her wedding, and
the ensuing conflict triggers the performance of 22 Abba hits including
"Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The
Winner Takes It All."
Though the musical is not considered a favorite
from theatre enthusiasists, the production is a crowd-pleaser that has earned
1.6 billion since its debut in 1999.
Casting of Streep adds a level of prestige for the production. The actress
is also an accomplished singer.
Mamma Mia! is expected to begin filming in London and Greece
this summer.
Add to Heffee!
