ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus hints there could be a third Mamma Mia film
He spoke to us here at Magic!
ABBA fans up and down the country were delighted by the release of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again last year, 10 years after the original film Mamma Mia! in 2008. Not only did they get to enjoy a fantastic story, but it gave all the old ABBA classics a new lease of life.
After the release of the sequel in July last year, it was no surprise that the film performed incredibly well, garnering rave reviews and making a whopping $34,952,180 in the US in its first weekend.
So when music legend and mastermind of the films Björn Ulvaeus stopped by at the Magic studios, we just had to ask him whether there might be another potential film in the franchise - and it's safe to say we were not disappointed!
When asked about a third Mamma Mia! film, Björn initially sounded as though it was unlikely to happen, telling Richard, "I doubt that very much," before thoughtfully adding, "But I probably said after the first film that there won’t be a second. So, you never know."
Explaining how Here We Go Again came into being, Björn said, "Why we did the second film was that Ol Parker and Richard Curtis came up with this idea and that’s why we did it."
He then gave us all hope when he said, "So, if someone comes up with an idea for Mamma Mia! 3 you know I’ll have a look at it. We’ll have a look at it."
Swipe through to see where previous UK Eurovision contestants are now...
2003: Jemini - 'Cry Baby'
Liverpudlian duo Gemma Abbey and Chris Comby, aka Jemini, received NUL POINTS in Latvia back in 2003. Now, Chris is Head of Retail Operations at Ted Baker, and Gemma is an owner of her own makeup business according to their LinkedIn profiles.
2004: James Fox - 'Hold On to Our Love'
Fame Academy alumni James Fox came 16th in 2004 and went on to release the official FA Cup single for Cardiff FC, before playing Paul McCartney in The Beatles' West End musical Let It Be.
2005: Javine - 'Touch My Fire'
Javine Hylton just missed out on a place in Girls Aloud in 2002, but represented the UK in Eurovision two years later with 'Touch My Fire'. She came 22nd, but redeemed herself as runner-up on Celebrity Come Dine with Me in 2010.
In 2012, Javine appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, but was eliminated along with Cheryl Baker.
2006: Daz Sampson - 'Teenage Life'
Remember Daz? He scored 25 points but still managed to chart at Number 8 in the UK with 'Teenage Life. Since competing in 2006 he's become a football manager.
2007: Scooch - 'Flying the Flag (For You)'
Scooch's innuendo-laced track was branded 'rubbish' by the public receiving just 19 points at Eurovision in 2007, however, the song did Number 5 in the UK.
The band continue to play Pride festivals and members Caroline and Russ were together as of 2021. David Ducasse now works for a vets in South Shields while Natalie Powers is the founder of Allstars Academy.
2008: Andy Abraham - 'Even If'
You'll probably recognise Andy from The X Factor in 2005. He came joint last in Belgrade in 2008, but didn't let that deter him and still performs to this day.
At Christmas in 2019 he took part in the Sleeping Beauty pantomime at Rotherham Civic Theatre.
2009: Jade Ewen - 'It's My Time'
Jade Ewen actually did alright with 'It's My Time', which came fifth in 2009. She then joined Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah in Sugababes and played Princess Jasmine in the West End production of Aladdin.
2010: Josh Dubovie - 'That Sounds Good to Me'
After 'That Sounds Good to Me' finished last with just 10 points in 2010, Josh decided to leave showbiz behind and became a care co-ordinator at a retirement home in Canada. He is now happily married and became a father in 2019.
2011: Blue - 'I Can'
We had such high hopes for Blue as they hit Düsseldorf in 2011, but the boys blamed political voting for their disappointing 10th place position. Duncan, Simon, Anthony and Lee made a comeback in 2022 and released their album 'Heart & Soul'.
2012: Engelbert Humperdinck - 'Love Will Set You Free'
Actual, real life Engelbert Humperdinck came second to last for the UK in 2012. Despite this disappointing result he is still recording music into his 80s. His songs are being used in film soundtracks to this day!
2013: Bonnie Tyler - 'Believe in Me'
Bonnie was placed 19th with 'Believe in Me' back in 2013. The 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' singer is still releasing music to this day with 'Into the Sunset' with Mike Batt being released in 2022.
2014: Molly Smitten-Downes - 'Children of the Universe'
Molly was one of the favourites to win with a song intended to 'break down political boundaries' in 2014; but unfortunately she only managed a measly 40 points.
After Eurovision, Molly performed at Glastonbury and later worked with German DJ and producer Zwette to make a song called 'Rush'.
2015: Electro Velvet - 'Still in Love with You'
Electro Velvet came 24th in Vienna in 2015 before releasing a cover of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' in 2016.
After that they released another song in 2018 called 'Take Me Home'.
2016: Joe and Jake - 'You're Not Alone'
Joe and Jake competed in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with 'You're Not Alone', but ended in 24th place with just 62 points.
Sadly Joe and Jack's follow-up track, released in 2017, 'Tongue Tied', failed to chart.
2017: Lucie Jones - 'Never Give Up on You'
The X Factor's Lucie Jones finished 15th with 'Never Give Up On You' in 2017, and returned to the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical.
She continues to perform in the West End and is now performing as Fantine in Les Miserables.
2018: SuRie - 'Storm'
SuRie performed 'Storm' for the UK, and ended in 24th place. After taking part in Eurovision she release some more music and is due to release a new album in May 2023.
2019: Michael Rice - 'Bigger Than Us'
Michael Rice represented the UK in 2019 with 'Bigger than Us', but unfortunately he ended up in last place.
Since taking part in the competition, Michael has continued to release music, but sadly they've failed to chart.
2021: James Newman - 'Embers'
James Newman was originally set to represent the UK in 2020, but when the Coronavirus Pandemic caused the show to be cancelled, he returned in 2021 with a new song, 'Embers'. The song sadly ended in last place.
James, who is the brother of John Newman, is still a songwriter and regularly posts his new music on Instagram.
2022: Sam Ryder - 'Space Man'
Sam Ryder put on an unforgettable performance at the 2022 event with his smash hit song 'Space Man' which earned him second place!
He hasn't slowed down since, with a performance at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee concert, as well as an album, and a massive tour set for 2023.
However, it's not looking likely that film number three is going to be made anytime soon, considering that, when asked if anyone had any ideas yet, he said, "Not yet actually. Not anyone serious anyway."
Plus, there's the fact that it took 10 years between the last two Mamma Mia! films... But we're still holding out hope!
Björn also revealed whether he'd known if any of their songs would be hits, "The thing is you never know. I mean in our heyday, we kind of knew the next single would be played and so forth, but we never knew if it was going to reach Number 1, if people would like it.
"It’s easy to forget that there is a before, and in the ‘before’ you don’t know. You take a risk and that’s what I still do."
NOW WATCH: Björn Ulvaeus talks about Mamma Mia the Party!
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