Meryl Streep to star in movie version of Mamma Mia

[Livia]

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=542642

Meryl Streep Signs On to Headline Film Version of Mamma Mia!
by Broadway.com Staff

Meryl Streep has signed on to play Donna Sheridan in a forthcoming movie version of Mamma Mia! according to Variety. Phyllida Lloyd, who directed the show in London and on Broadway, will make her feature film directing debut. Judy Craymer of Littlestar and Gary Goetzman of Playtone will produce; Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will executive produce with Abba songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. The Universal release is expected to begin filming this summer in London and Greece.
Catherine Johnson, who wrote the book for the musical, has written the screenplay for this story of a bride-to-be who never met her father and was raised by a formerly rebellious single mother (Streep). After snooping in her mother's diary, the daughter invites three likely paternal candidates to her wedding, hoping to identify her dad by the time she walks down the aisle. The show includes 22 Abba hits including "Dancing Queen," "Super Trouper," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All."

The casting of Streep, widely hailed for her 2006 performance in The Devil Wears Prada, is a major coup for the film's producers. "She was always at the top of our wish list, and she encapsulates the spirit and energy and has the powerhouse qualities that character requires," Craymer told Variety. Streep sang onstage in Central Park last summer while playing the title role in Mother Courage and onscreen alongside Lily Tomlin in A Prairie Home Companion, but Mamma Mia! will be her first full musical.

Mamma Mia! recently celebrated its fifth anniversary on Broadway and is an enormous money-maker; currently, there are 11 productions of the stage show playing in seven languages around the world.

[rbs3676]

Zirko and "Noodle" saw MAMA MIA in London and loved it.
I'm all about Meryl in anything...she's FAB!

rbs

[Livia]

Originally Posted by rbs3676

Zirko and "Noodle" saw MAMA MIA in London and loved it.

So did me and Tommer! Meryl Streep singing Abba tunes? How happy can you be?

[JazmenFlowers]

really? I'd have never guessed this. since I love Abba and Meryl, this is a sure bet.

[TwistedGypsy]

Thank You Jesus! I've never seen Mamma Mia but I've heard Meryl Streep sing and I've been waiting for her to do something like this.

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by TwistedGypsy

Thank You Jesus! I've never seen Mamma Mia but I've heard Meryl Streep sing and I've been waiting for her to do something like this.

Postcards from the Edge anyone?

anyone?

srsly?

[BlackWidow]

very exciting news!!!

[JazmenFlowers]

well, from what I understand, Mamma Mia takes the Abba songs and makes a story out of them...so, it's not like Meryl will play Agnetha or Frida, she'll play one of the characters in the story that sings Abba songs.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

well, from what I understand, Mamma Mia takes the Abba songs and makes a story out of them...so, it's not like Meryl will play Agnetha or Frida, she'll play one of the characters in the story that sings Abba songs.

yeah, i've actually seen the show a couple times ... which is why i find it so odd that meryl will be in it!

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by carrie721

yeah, i've actually seen the show a couple times ... which is why i find it so odd that meryl will be in it!

oh. lol. well pishaw on me.

[catinthedark]

Originally Posted by carrie721

yeah, i've actually seen the show a couple times ... which is why i find it so odd that meryl will be in it!

ditto.

the show is all sung - it's just one abba song after the next. it ROCKS and i totally loved it (just tons of cheesy fun!), but i can't for one second imagine meryl playing any of the characters. on the other hand... she does tend to get completely into her roles. completely change her entire persona. so... maybe....

nope. still can't see it.

[BombaySapphire3]

It might be interesting but no one will ever sing "The Winner Takes it All' like MS. Faltskog.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

well, from what I understand, Mamma Mia takes the Abba songs and makes a story out of them...so, it's not like Meryl will play Agnetha or Frida, she'll play one of the characters in the story that sings Abba songs.

It's the story about a single mother with a daughter who is getting married. The mother owns an island resort and her old friends come in for the wedding. The friends include a woman who is sort of a vamp (think patsy Stone) and three guys, one of which is the daughter's father, but does not know it. So, I can see Streep as either woman, though she likely will take the lead as the mother as the mother has a KILLER soloo with "The Winner Takes it All."

[TwistedGypsy]

Meryl also sang with Carly Simon on the song Two Sisters from Marvin's Room. On that song its mainly background or harmonies (whatever you want to call it), but her voice is heavenly.

[SuzeQuze]

I love them both too and it does seem like a strange match. It will probably be amazing though. I loved Postcards from the Edge too, the book was even better.