​Amanda Seyfried has shed light on the prolonged development of Mamma Mia! 3. Inspired by ABBA’s timeless hits, the jukebox movie musical franchise debuted in 2008 with the story of Sophie (Seyfried) uncovering the truth of her mother’s (Meryl Streep) past on a picturesque Greek island. The 2018 sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again intertwines past and present narratives as a young Donna (Lily James) embarks on three whirlwind romances across Europe. Buzz around Mamma Mia! 3 has grown considerably, especially with Streep expressing interest in reprising her role as the flowery matriarch.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seyfried revealed that the delay in producing Mamma Mia! 3 stems from Universal Pictures’ focus on Wicked and Wicked: For Good, suggesting the studio prefers to concentrate on one musical project at a time. Both Mamma Mia! installments have been box office successes, with the original film grossing over $600 million worldwide and its sequel amᴀssing $402 million worldwide. However, it appears the studio has moved onto Wicked, an Oscar-nominated musical that grossed $729 million worldwide. Check out her comments below:

Show me the money! (Laughs.) Producer Judy Craymer is always working on it, but Universal still has to release Wicked 2. The first Wicked had to stall when Mamma Mia! 2 was getting made. It’s an either/or situation with musicals. And I have this theory that Universal just knows we’re going to do it, so they’re not in any rush. And it’s just going to cost double.

Maybe [Meryl Streep is] the stall. They still haven’t figured out how to bring her back from the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. From what I was told, that was her choice — so maybe it’s on her to write it. (Laughs.) I’m sure she has ideas. Meryl’s a genius. But I hope they figure it out. The one day that she was on set for the last movie was when it finally felt like we were all together again.

What This Means For Mamma Mia! 3

Why Mamma Mia! 3 Is Still Stuck in Development

The possibility of Mamma Mia! 3 remains alive, though its fate is tied to studio priorities and production logistics. In 2018, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again previously caused delays for Jon M. Chu’s adaptation, and now the situation has flipped. Universal Pictures has now seemingly chosen to prioritize Wicked: For Good, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 10-time Oscar-nominated Wicked. Given that the 2024 film has outperformed both Mamma Mia! films at the box office—breaking the record for the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation—Universal is betting big on its continued success.

Despite these delays, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Producer Judy Craymer has previously stated that Mamma Mia! was always intended to be a “trilogy,” and the cast remains enthusiastic about returning (via Daily Mail). Meryl Streep, despite her character Donna’s death in Mamma Mia 2, has openly expressed interest in reprising her role with a few creative solutions for her comeback. The third movie would likely continue Sophie’s journey as she navigates life without Donna, the fate of the H๏τel, and her new baby—perhaps as a long-lost sister returns or a new diary is revealed.

Our Take On Mamma Mia 3 Delays

The Threequel Still Has A Chance

While Mamma Mia! 3 remains in limbo, the enthusiasm of Amanda Seyfried and the remaining cast and creative team suggests it’s only a matter of time. The upcoming Wicked: For Good is set to release in November 2025, meaning production of the ABBA-fueled jukebox musical could begin as early as 2026. With Streep wanting to return, and the story naturally set up for a sequel, the delay feels more like a waiting game than a true roadblock. Mammia Mia! 3 could finally bring back the magic, music, and heart fans have been craving sooner than you’d expect.

Source: THR