Here We Go Again: Mamma Mia! Sequel Begins Production

August 22, 2017

Universal Pictures has announced today that principal photography has begun on Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the upcoming sequel to the hit 2008 film. Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA. The musical comedy will open on July 20, 2018.

Reprising their roles from Mamma Mia! The Movie are Academy Award winner Meryl Streep as Donna, Julie Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya. Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper reunite as Sophie and Sky, while Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Oscar winner Colin Firth return to play Sophie’s three possible dads: Sam, Bill and Harry.

New additions to the cast also include Lily James (Cinderella, Baby Driver). As the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present, James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies (A Brilliant Young Mind) and Jessica Keenan Wynn (Go Green). Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine (Fallen), while Young Bill is Josh Dylan (Allied) and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner (Kill Your Friends).

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, producers of the original film. Craymer is also the creator and producer of the worldwide smash-hit stage musical.

“I’m so thrilled to have our brilliant original cast back and to welcome the new cast to the Mamma Mia! family,” said Judy Craymer. “It was so much fun casting these young roles, and there is great excitement amongst the whole cast as we explore the characters past and present and continue this heartwarming story where it left off…told once again through much-loved ABBA songs.”

Ol Parker, writer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, writes and directs the sequel from a story by Catherine Johnson, Richard Curtis and Parker. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus return to provide music and lyrics and serve as executive producers. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Phyllida Lloyd, Richard Curtis and Nicky Kentish Barnes also serve as executive producers.

The creative team includes musical director Martin Koch and music programmer Nick Gilpin, both collaborators of the original stage show, as well as Anthony Van Laast, choreographer of the stage show and Mamma Mia! The Movie.

New to the Mamma Mia! family are cinematographer Robert Yeoman (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Bridesmaids), production designer Alan Macdonald (The Queen, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), editor Peter Lambert (Woman in Gold, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) and costume designer Michele Clapton (HBO’s Game of Thrones, Netflix’s The Crown).