Engaged lovers in the first Mamma Mia! The Movie, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper reprise their roles as Sophie and Sky in Universal Pictures’ new romantic musical, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Returning to the role of Sophie, Amanda Seyfried talks of her affinity for the character: “It is a special opportunity to come back and play Sophie. In the first movie I was just 21; it was one of my first big films, and I was genuinely playing myself from the first day to the end credits. We are coming back 10 years later in reality, but in the story it is about half of that—so not so much has changed for Sophie as it has for me. The glee is still very much alive and perhaps even more so.”
“When I read the script, I was completely blown away,” adds Seyfried. “Ol [Parker] has created such depth with new dynamics and character arcs that are realistic. When the music stops, you have to deal with things that are sometimes heart-breaking and then the music starts again. That is life, and there are a lot of messages in this story. I can’t think of a better way to continue Mamma Mia!”
Fortunately for the audience, Seyfried has a number of ABBA songs to perform in the follow-up film. “Discussing why she is excited for audiences to experience Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, the actress takes a moment. “We are back on a crazy beautiful island, ABBA is back in my life and I have a completely new appreciation of their music; there are songs I never knew I loved so much. I can’t believe what I’m about to say, but this movie is bigger, better and more spectacular than the original. I didn’t see it coming, but boy am I ever glad.”
Her on-screen mother reflects on what Seyfried accomplishes in this chapter: “Amanda brings something to this incarnation of Mamma Mia! that’s very special,” offers Streep. “She’s the heartbeat of the film. Her emotion carries the whole story forward, and she really moved me. I think she’s magic. Plus, she’s got a cracking great voice, and she gets to use it more in this film.”
Dominic Cooper returns to the role of Sky, Sophie’s boyfriend, and the duo sings “One of Us” together; that sequence stands out to the actor. “The song is about two people who are just not right for each other and are having a tough time. Sky and Sophie are thinking about breaking up. It doesn’t feel like it is going to work out, so it’s a great duet. I’ve never heard the song this way before, and it gives it a new life.”
Making his welcome return to the role, Cooper talks about revisiting the character 10 years after the first film was released. “Even though you don’t think about them every day, there is a part of every character you have played inside of you. With Sky, it is clear what his role is, and I felt comfortable going back. It was like putting on an old comfy pair of shoes. It is a joy to be back in the environment, seeing these people and being back on the incredible set that was rebuilt for this production.”
Cooper walks us through where we find Sophie and Sky: “We’ve gone our separate ways to embark on our careers. Sophie is trying to renovate her mother’s villa, and Sky has gone to New York to learn hotel management. At the beginning of the movie, there is a phone call that suggests I won’t be coming to the opening of her wonderful hotel she has been working on for so long. We have an argument that could possibly be the end of the relationship.”
Summarizing the essence of the film, Cooper says: “This is a story about life. It’s about generations, success and failure—romance, friendships, and how important work is in our lives. Seeing people making mistakes and watching how they move forward. All this coincides with moving lyricism, which lifts up the story with a wonderful joy.”
In Philippine cinemas July 18, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph
About Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Get ready to sing and dance, laugh and love all over again. Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA.
Reprising their roles from Mamma Mia! The Movie are Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep as Donna, Julie Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya. Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper reunite as Sophie and Sky, while Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård and Oscar® winner Colin Firth return to play Sophie’s three possible dads: Sam, Bill and Harry.
As the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present, James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies and Jessica Keenan Wynn. Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine, while Young Bill is Josh Dylan and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner.
