Meryl Streep to Star in Mamma Mia! Film

Variety reports this morning that Meryl Streep will star in the feature film adaption of Mamma Mia! The trade paper reports that the film, which will film in London and Greece will be directed by Phyllida Lloyd who directed the stage show in New York and London with a screenplay by the stage show's book-writer Catherine Johnson.

The film will be produced by Judy Craymer of Littlestar films, with Gart Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus executive producing. It's set to start filming this summer.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago," state press notes on the show, which features in its score songs such as "Dancing Queen"; "The Winner Takes It All"; "Money, Money, Money" and "Take A Chance on Me."

There are currently 11 productions of the musical running around the world (9 resident productions and 2 tours). With three productions playing in North America alone, Mamma Mia! can be experienced in six different languages globally (English, Swedish, Spanish,  German, Japanese and Russian).   The show has earned a worldwide gross of over $1.6 billion and audiences of over 27 million people worldwide.

For more information on Mamma Mia! around the world, visit www.mamma-mia.com.

Photo - Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson