12 surprising things you probably didn't know most the 'Mamma Mia' movies

mamma mia 2

"Mamma Mia" is a beloved franchise.
Universal Pictures
  • "Mamma Mia" and its sequel "Mamma Mia! Hither Nosotros Get Once again" are popular films featuring ABBA's music.
  • Judy Craymer pitched the film idea to ABBA star Björn Ulvaeus when she was giving him a ride home.
  • Lily James had to proceed vocal rest for a week before filming "Mamma Mia! Hither We Go Again."
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The whole franchise started with a serendipitous automobile ride, and it was a stage musical beginning.

Björn Ulvaeus, Judy Craymer, and Benny Andersson became friends after the car ride.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Producer Judy Craymer was 25 years erstwhile when she was asked to pick up ABBA pop star Björn Ulvaeus from the airport.

Co-ordinate to Vanity Off-white, the friendship betwixt Craymer, Ulvaeus, and another ABBA member, Benny Andersson, began during that motorcar ride. Later on, Craymer pitched them the thought for an ABBA phase musical, which eventually became "Mamma Mia."

The musical premiered in London's West End in 1999 and went on to open on Broadway in 2001. The evidence saw early success before it was adjusted into the movie we know and honey today.

Phyllida Lloyd directed both the phase musical and the start movie.

Phyllida Lloyd directed "Mamma Mia."
Yuriko Nakao/Reuters

Phyllida Lloyd directed the "Mamma Mia" stage musical, and since the show was such a success, they hired her to directly the beginning movie as well.

The joy during the "Super Trouper" number at the end of the 2d film was 100% authentic.

The cast said they had a great fourth dimension filming "Super Trouper."
Universal Pictures

Screenwriter and managing director for "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Over again" Ol Parker told Awards Daily in 2018 that the "Super Trouper" scene looks really fun because it was.

"When they're dancing in 'Super Trouper,' that'south all real. We played the song loudly and sent them off to different corners … They merely had an absolute hoot," Parker said.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were executive producers for both films.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were involved in the franchise.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, were executive producers of both "Mamma Mia" and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Once again."

Meryl Streep really did the splits in the commencement film.

Meryl Streep didn't think before doing the splits.
Universal Pictures

Meryl Streep said that it was "instinct" that allowed her to exercise splits in the get-go film, although she's not sure she could replicate it now.

"I simply did the splits on instinct. That'due south what e'er happens with my interim. As an actor, you lot're not allowed to think," Streep told The Guardian in 2008. "I couldn't do the splits for you right at present."

Cher turned down a role in the first movie.

Casting directors wanted Cher to play Tanya.
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Ruddy Sheridan wasn't the first "Mamma Mia" role that Cher was considered for.

Craymer told Vanity Fair in 2018 that Lloyd originally wanted Cher to play Tanya, simply she passed on the role.

"I call up she felt that the Tanya graphic symbol was probably too close to her," Craymer said

Tony-winner Christine Baranski was eventually cast every bit Tanya.

Cher was handpicked for the office of Sophie'south grandmother, and the head of Universal Pictures wouldn't have no for an answer.

Cher played Donna's mother and Sophie's grandmother in the flick.
Universal Pictures

Cher told Sky News in 2018 that she didn't have much of a selection when it came to playing Ruby Sheridan in the sequel.

The caput of Universal Pictures also used to be her agent, so when he chosen her to tell her about the office, he hung up before she could say no.

Pierce Brosnan's family unit (and housekeeper) weren't too keen on his singing vocalization at get-go.

Pierce Brosnan'south family wasn't excited to hear him sing.
Universal Pictures

In a 2008 interview with Good Housekeeping, Pierce Brosnan said when he first tried out singing for his family, "even the housekeeper cringed."

"They kept their opinions to themselves for a while, though. They didn't want me to be discouraged," he told the publication.

But later on practicing all the time, Brosnan said he got better.

"At present my family unit seems to recollect I'g doing all right. But it's possible they're existence prissy. They're probably all the same cringing," he said.

To set for filming the "Mamma Mia" sequel, Lily James didn't talk for a week.

Lily James had to give her vox a pause.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In a 2018 interview with Build Series, Lily James said she had to save her phonation to prep for the function of young Donna since she had just come off a press bout for the moving picture "Baby Driver."

"All I'd done is talk for and so long and my vocalization was shot to hell it was just cracked and icky," she said. "So, it was me beingness really neurotic, as usual, merely information technology was also me being told by the doctor I had to close upwardly … I just didn't talk for a week."

James watched the kickoff pic "hundreds of times" to set for the role of Donna.

Lily James in "Mamma Mia! Here Nosotros Go Again."
Universal Pictures

In "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," James had the difficult task of playing immature Donna — the young-adult version of Streep's role from the first film.

She told Allure in 2018 that she watched the starting time movie over and over over again to prepare for the role. Past the time they started filming the sequel, James knew every line from the original.

"Every moment of that film I know past heart," she said. "I think I could mimic [Meryl Streep] pretty well, but and then in the moment, when you're there on set with the cameras rolling and you've got another actor in front of yous ... the thing I similar about acting is fully surrendering to that moment and not trying to control what happens. So I think I only forgot to do annihilation."

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