When Amanda Seyfried stepped onto the red carpet at the Governor Awards Los Angeles on November 20, 2025, she didn’t just talk about awards season—she dropped a bombshell. "Mamma Mia! 3 is a done deal," she told Entertainment Tonight. The news sent shockwaves through fans who’ve been waiting seven years for another dip into the sun-drenched, ABBA-soundtracked world of Kalokairi. But what really sparked debate wasn’t just the green light—it was her casting wish: Sabrina Carpenter as Sophie’s daughter.
"I Love Portraying a Mum"
Seyfried, now 39, has spent the last decade evolving from the wide-eyed bride of the 2008 original into a mother in real life—and on screen. In her interview, she didn’t just hint at the next chapter; she painted a full picture. "I love portraying a mum," she said. "So I would love to see Sophie with her kids." She envisioned the return of the three dads—Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård—alongside Christine Baranski and Julie Walters, "singing and looking hot." And yes, Meryl Streep’s Donna Sheridan, who died in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), would still be there—"a ghost, obviously," Seyfried joked. "She’ll be around." It’s a vision that leans hard into nostalgia. The original 2008 film, produced by Littlestar Productions Limited, made $610 million globally on a $52 million budget. The 2018 sequel, distributed by Universal Pictures, earned nearly $400 million. Both leaned on ABBA’s timeless catalog—songs written by the Swedish quartet ABBA—and the charm of its original cast. Now, Seyfried wants to expand that legacy.Fans React: "Not the Right Fit"
But not everyone’s singing along. Within hours of Seyfried’s comments, #MammaMia3Casting trended on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of fans pushing back. "Sabrina Carpenter is amazing," wrote one user, "but she’s not Sophie’s daughter—she’s Sophie’s *peer*." Others pointed to the age gap: Carpenter is 25, Seyfried is 39. That’s a 14-year difference. In real life, that’s plausible for a mother-daughter pair. But in the world of Mamma Mia? Where the original Sophie was played by a 22-year-old Seyfried opposite a 42-year-old Streep? The math doesn’t add up. "The original film worked because Streep and Seyfried looked like they could be mother and daughter," said film critic Elena Ruiz in a TikTok analysis that racked up 2.3 million views. "Carpenter is 25. Seyfried is 39. That’s not a mom and daughter—it’s two women in their 20s and 30s. The audience won’t buy it." Even more concerning to fans: Carpenter’s breakout role as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (2024) was a satirical, high-energy comedy. Mamma Mia! is a heartfelt, emotionally messy musical about family, loss, and forgiveness. "It’s not about being a good actor," one Reddit thread argued. "It’s about embodying the soul of the franchise. Sophie’s daughter should feel like she grew up listening to "Dancing Queen" in her mom’s kitchen—not posting TikToks about it."
Behind the Scenes: What’s Really Happening?
Seyfried isn’t alone in pushing for the sequel. Producer Judy Craymer, who’s shepherded the franchise since its 1999 West End premiere, confirmed in 2023 that a script was in "earliest stages." At the Toronto International Film Festival Toronto on September 10, 2025, Seyfried told Deadline the project wasn’t "officially set," but "discussions have been happening," and the original cast—including Streep—had expressed interest. That’s significant. Streep, now 76, hasn’t publicly committed, but her absence in the 2018 film was handled poetically—with flashbacks and voiceovers. A ghostly presence in Mamma Mia! 3? It’s not just possible—it’s probable. And if the script is being written now, with filming likely in 2026 for a 2027 release, the window to cast the next generation is narrowing.Why This Franchise Won’t Die
The secret sauce? ABBA. The Swedish band’s music—140 million albums sold worldwide—isn’t just catchy; it’s emotionally coded. "Dancing Queen" isn’t a song. It’s a feeling. And the franchise has mastered the alchemy of nostalgia, youth, and midlife reckoning. As film analyst Hrvoje Milakovic of Fiction Horizon notes, "It’s not about the actors aging. It’s about the audience aging with them." The original musical, which premiered at London’s Prince Edward Theatre on April 6, 1999, has been performed in 48 countries and seen by over 60 million people. That’s not just success—it’s cultural saturation. The next film won’t need to reinvent the wheel. It just needs to keep turning.
What’s Next?
The studio’s next move will be critical. Will they listen to fans and cast a younger, lesser-known actress who can carry the emotional weight? Or will they prioritize star power, hoping Carpenter’s pop appeal can draw Gen Z viewers? If they go with Carpenter, they’ll need to write her character with more depth than a cameo. A daughter who doesn’t just sing "Take a Chance on Me," but wrestles with whether she wants to be her mom’s shadow—or her own person. And what about the dads? Brosnan, 75, Firth, 64, and Skarsgård, 73—will they be able to dance like they did in 2008? Maybe not. But maybe they don’t need to. Maybe the charm is in seeing them a little slower, a little wiser, still belting out "The Winner Takes It All" with a glass of ouzo in hand.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sabrina Carpenter controversial as Sophie’s daughter?
Fans argue that at 25, Carpenter is too close in age to Amanda Seyfried (39) to convincingly play her daughter, especially when Seyfried was only 22 when she played Sophie. The original film’s mother-daughter dynamic worked because Meryl Streep was 59 and Seyfried was 22—a 37-year gap. A 14-year gap feels more like sisters than mother and child, undermining the emotional core of the story.
Is Mamma Mia! 3 officially confirmed?
No, it’s not officially greenlit. Amanda Seyfried called it a "done deal" in November 2025, but producer Judy Craymer has only said scripts are in "earliest stages." Universal Pictures and Littlestar Productions are likely in early development, with filming possibly starting in 2026 for a 2027 release, pending casting and script approval.
Will Meryl Streep return in Mamma Mia! 3?
She hasn’t confirmed, but her character’s death in the 2018 sequel was handled with poetic flashbacks. Seyfried herself joked that Streep will be "a ghost, obviously." Industry insiders believe her presence—via archival footage, voiceovers, or dream sequences—is almost guaranteed to honor the franchise’s emotional heart.
What’s the financial upside of Mamma Mia! 3?
The first two films grossed over $1 billion combined on modest budgets. ABBA’s music catalog remains wildly popular, with 2024’s ABBA Voyage concert residency in London earning $420 million. A third film targeting nostalgic millennials and Gen Z fans could easily recoup $150–200 million globally, even with a $70 million budget.
Where will Mamma Mia! 3 be filmed?
The franchise has always filmed on the Greek island of Skopelos, which stood in for Kalokairi. Though production may shift due to climate or logistics, industry sources suggest a return to Greece is likely, possibly with expanded scenes in nearby islands like Skiathos or Hydra to capture the same sun-drenched, romantic aesthetic.
Could the film include new ABBA songs?
Unlikely. The franchise’s power lies in its use of existing ABBA hits. The band has not released new music since 2021’s Voyage album, and the producers have consistently avoided writing original songs. Any new music would risk breaking the nostalgic spell that made the first two films so beloved.
