- Christine Baranski has dropped a huge hint that a third film in the Mamma Mia franchise may be in store
- The actor revealed that she has had talks with producer Judy Craymer about turning the franchise into a trilogy
- Baranski’s co-star Meryl Streep has also previously voiced her interest… despite her character being killed off in the second movie
It’s the movie franchise that sparked a whole new generation of ABBA fans across the globe.
And now Mamma Mia fans can rejoice – as a third installment of the hit films has been all but confirmed by one of the main cast members!
Christine Baranski – who played the glamorous Tanya, best friend to Meryl Streep’s character Donna – has weighed in on the ‘will they, won’t they’ rumors that have plagued the movie since Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! was released in 2018.
In a new interview, the Emmy nominated actor, 72, revealed she had recently spent time with Judy Craymer, who produced the films.
“I was in London with Judy at our favorite watering hole, she is planning Mamma Mia 3,” Baranski said. “She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen. That’s all I can say!
“But, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I wish it could happen!’ Judy Craymer makes things happen. She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Craymer to get everybody back together.”
Referencing Kamala Harris’s US presidential election campaign, Baranski continued, “It’s just the kind of movie that makes people happy. Witnessing how much people are showing up for these Democratic campaign rallies now, there’s a lot of smiles, a lot of laughter. People are drawn to happiness and to joy, not doom and gloom. Mamma Mia made so many millions of people around the world happy.
“Is it a little dumb, a little campy? That’s part of its charm. When I’m in Europe, I can’t tell you how many little girls want to be photographed with Tanya. It troubles me a little, that Tanya’s their favorite character. (Laughs.) But, hey, we’re always attracted to that kind of snappy, sexy lady. Maybe we can get Kamala to use one of the Abba songs?”
‘I know there’s a trilogy there’
Prior to Baranski’s comments, Streep also had something to say about Mamma Mia’s potential return.
Speaking to Deadline earlier this year, the actor, 75, revealed, “I don’t know how they’re going to do it. They have an idea. I haven’t heard it yet but it’s in [my diary] and I’m going to hear about it pretty soon.”
Streep then, teasingly, added, “Of course I want to do it. I think folks love it.”
There appears to be just one problem… Streep’s character, Donna Sheridan, was killed off in the second movie – a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans on Twitter/X.
“What are their ideas?? Didn’t her character die in Mamma Mia 2?? So she will show up as a ghost Donna Sheridan or what?? Ohhh idc just bring her back,” pleaded one desperate fan. Another mused that there may perhaps be a backstory involving her mother Ruby – played by Cher – and said, “That would actually be great if they were to explain Ruby/Donna’s backstory, be interesting to see what they decide to do with the story, but regardless I will be there when it opens.”
Another fan joked, “Maybe she can sing Dancing Queen next to God or resurrect – whatever they make, I’m here for it.”
But maybe Craymer has come up with a plan – as she previously hinted at the return of Donna in the third film.
While promoting ITV’s talent show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream – in which unknown musical theater performers auditioned for the chance to play the roles of Sophie Sheridan and Sky Ramand in the West End production of the musical – last year, Craymer admitted, “I don’t want to over-egg it, but I know there’s a trilogy there. There is a story there, and I do think Meryl should come back – and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna.”
And Streep herself confirmed her interest last September. “I told Judy if she could figure out a way to reincarnate Donna, I’m into that,” she said. “Or it could be like in one of those soap operas where Donna comes back and reveals it was really her twin sister that died.”
