Amanda Seyfried Shares Update on "Mamma Mia! 3"

Amanda Seyfried has shared a long-awaited update about the third entry of the "Mamma Mia! 3" musical franchise.

Inspired by ABBA's timeless hits, the 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. 

While both Mamma Mia! installments have been box office successes, with the original film grossing over $600 million worldwide and its sequel amassing $402 million worldwide, it appears the studio has moved onto "Wicked" an Oscar-nominated musical that grossed $729 million worldwide. 

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" 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 movie has outperformed both Mamma Mia! movies at the box office—breaking the record for the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation—Universal is betting big on its continued success.

Despite these odds, 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). 

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 hotel, and her new baby—perhaps as a long-lost sister returns or a new diary is revealed.

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 desire to return and the story naturally set up for a sequel, the delay feels more like a waiting game rather "Mamma Mia! 3"than a true roadblock.