Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About the Mamma Mia Movies
#10: Lily James Broke Her Toe “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018)
This self-proclaimed “accident-prone” actress revealed that she broke her toe after running straight into a lighting stand. She was meant to run onto the scene but moved perhaps a little more vigorously than she intended. At first, she thought she’d just stubbed it and continued to film through the pain. However, with plenty of upcoming dance scenes and the discovery that it was in fact broken, the crew were left with no choice but to delay filming until she could dance again. In an Instagram Post from Thanksgiving 2017, James can be seen celebrating with her co-stars while wearing a supportive boot.
#9: Spot the Green Screen “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018)
Via a viral Tweet, fans of the sequel discovered that quite a bit of green screen was used in filming. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean that these breathtaking landscapes are too good to be true. Some filming, such as Cher’s scenes, took place at Shepperton and Pinewood Studios in the U.K. But most scenes were filmed on location. The Greek island of Skopelos, and in the sequel, the island Vis in Croatia, make up the landscape of the film’s fictional Kalokairi. You can’t watch this movie without developing serious wanderlust.
#8: “I Have A… [Day] Dream?” “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
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While we’re on the subject of CGI… You know that scene where Sophie gets in a boat and sings “I Have A Dream”? The one that serves as the catalyst for the entire movie’s plot. Well, actually, also the final scene where Sophie and Sky set sail. Anyway, remember the way the moon beautifully lights up the scene? Well, what if we told you that it was actually filmed during the day? Sorry to ruin the illusion but these scenes were really shot in daylight and edited later in post-production. It’s hard to believe, we know, but hey, that’s the magic of cinema.
#7: Off-Screen Romance “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
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It wasn’t just Sophie who fell for Sky’s “Angel Eyes”. Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper embarked on an approximately three-year-long relationship after meeting on the “Mamma Mia!” set. As Seyfried said, it’s very easy to fall when “you’re put in a situation where you have to make out with each other”. However, she also said that Cooper broke her heart. So we can only imagine that playing the same couple once again might have presented a little awkwardness or as Cooper put it, created a “delicate” situation. Still, a decade had passed, the pair had remained friends and they were professionals with a job to do.
#6: Pierce Brosnan Didn’t Know What He’d Signed Up For “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
That’s right, the Irish actor signed up for the show without knowing who he’d be playing or what it was even about. After learning that Meryl Streep was involved and that they’d be filming in Greece, Brosnan instantly said yes. He told “Cinema” that other than posters he’d seen around, he knew nothing about the show. As research, he went to see the stage production and spent the first 15 minutes convincing himself that if Meryl Streep was on board, then it must be good. We wonder if he’d still have said yes so quickly if he knew it was a musical.
#5: The Improvised Mother-Daughter Bond “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
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In an interview with “The Daily Mail”, director Phyllida Lloyd shared some of her favorite memories from the set. One, in particular, was the tenderness shared between the on-screen mother-daughter duo during “Slipping Through My Fingers”. Lloyd let the actors improvise during the scene and it was Meryl’s idea for Sophie to sit on Donna and for Donna to paint her toenails. While this improv was discussed with the director first, Stellan Skarsgård took everyone by surprise with his own bit of cheeky improv complete with well-placed tattoos.No one saw it coming but Lloyd found it so hilarious that it made the final cut.
#4: One Shot for the Wedding Dance Scene “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
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That final scene where Aphrodite’s Fountain erupts, showering all the party-goers is truly magical. And although they wanted to create a “spontaneous euphoria” on-screen, behind the scenes was a whole other story. As Lloyd told “The Daily Mail”, they only really had one chance at getting the shot. After all, just think of all of those costumes, delicate wigs, and actors that they would have to dry off. Fortunately, Aphrodite was on their side and the first take was a success. The close-knit cast used this scene to celebrate their time together, so what we’re seeing is everyone genuinely having “the time of [their] lives”.
#3: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus Cameos “Mamma Mia!” (2008) & “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018)
The “Mamma Mia!” movies are like a game of “Where’s Waldo” for any ABBA fan. Except, you’re actually looking for Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. In the first movie, Andersson can be seen sitting at the piano during “Dancing Queen”, and in the sequel, you can spot him playing the piano again during “Waterloo”. Ulvaeus, on the other hand, takes his place among the Greek gods on Mount Olympus during “Waterloo” as the first film wraps. However, you don’t have to wait as long to spot him in the sequel as he plays a teacher in the opening number, “When I Kissed the Teacher”.
#2: “Thank You For The Music” - Even the Deleted Songs “Mamma Mia” (2008)
With so many amazing songs to choose from, it’s almost inevitable that some ended on the cutting room floor. If you’re familiar with the stage production, you’ll notice that songs like “Under Attack'', “One of Us” and “Name of the Game” do not feature in the film, although the latter two were used in the sequel. There’s also a deleted scene from the 2008 flick where Sophie sings “Name of the Game” to Bill. In the sequel, “I Wonder (Departure)”, which features on the soundtrack, was cut too. Clearly, we need a third movie just so we can keep exploring ABBA’s phenomenal catalog.
#1: The Other Actors They Nearly Took a Chance On “Mamma Mia” (2008)
As is “The Name of the Game”, the casting crew had several ideas for the actors they’d like to star in the movie. Donny Osmond was considered for Sam and “American Pie” actor Chris Klein’s audition for Sky now lives in infamy on the internet. Amanda Bynes, Emmy Rossum, Mandy Moore, and Seyfried’s fellow-Plastic, Rachel McAdams were all considered for Sophie too. They also thought about casting Olivia Newton-John or Michelle Pfeiffer as Donna. However, as a longtime fan of the uplifting and life-affirming musical, Meryl Streep knew that she wanted the role. “When All Is Said and Done” we can’t imagine the cast any other way.
