Film production

Background:

Mamma Mia! (promoted as Mamma Mia! The Movie) is a 2008 British musical/romantic comedy film adapted from the 1999 West End/2001 Broadway musical of the same name, based on the songs of successful pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson. The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and distributed by Universal Pictures in partnership with Tom Hanks' and Rita Wilson's Playtone and Littlestar, and the title originates from ABBA's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia". Meryl Streepheads the cast, playing the role of single mother Donna Sheridan. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård play the three possible fathers to Donna's daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).

Mamma Mia is the highest grossing musical film worldwide. Until the release of Avatar in 2009, it was also the highest grossing film in the United Kingdom. The film has also developed a cult following.

Cast:

• Meryl Streep as Donna Carmichael (née Sheridan), Sophie's mother, owner of the hotel Villa Donna, and wife of Sam at the end.
• Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Donna's daughter and Sky's fiancée.
• Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, Sophie's possible father, husband to Donna, and an Irish-American architect.
• Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Sophie's possible father and an English banker; based on "Our Last Summer", which he sings at one point.
• Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie's possible father, a Swedish sailor and travel writer.
• Dominic Cooper as Sky, Sophie's fiancé, designing a website for the hotel.
• Julie Walters as Rosie Mulligan, one of Donna's former bandmates in Donna and the Dynamos; an unmarried fun-loving author.
• Christine Baranski as Tanya Chesham-Leigh, Donna's other former bandmate; a rich three-time divorcee.
• Philip Michael as Pepper, Sky's best man who likes Tanya. He is also a bartender.
• Ashley Lilley as Ali, close friend of Sophie and her bridesmaid.
• Rachel McDowall as Lisa, close friend of Sophie and her bridesmaid.
• Enzo Squillino as Gregoris, one of Donna Sheridan's employees.
• Niall Buggy as Father Alex, priest who nearly married Sophie and Sky, but ends up marrying Sam and Donna.