The question of whether fans will ever return to the sun-drenched Greek islands for a third installment of the Mamma Mia! saga has finally received a hopeful, if unofficial, answer from one of its core stars. Oscar-nominated actress Amanda Seyfried is not only convinced that Mamma Mia 3 is “a done deal,” but she is already actively recruiting a new generation of Hollywood talent, pitching her The Housemaid co-star, Sydney Sweeney, and grammy winning Sabrina Carpenter to join the musical mayhem.
Speaking at the Governors Awards, Seyfried was quick to share her confidence about the franchise’s return. “Maybe I’m just naive, but I’m pretty sure ‘Mamma Mia 3’ is a done deal,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
Seyfried’s Vision: Cousins, Ghosts, and ABBA
While the second film, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, served as a prequel to fill in Donna Sheridan’s past, Seyfried sees the third movie catching up with her character, Sophie, in the present day. Crucially, this new chapter must include new faces to carry on the ABBA legacy.
Seyfried is keen on expanding the family tree, which is where her celebrity recruitment drive comes in.
“I love portraying a mom, so I would love to see Sophie with her kids,” Seyfried said. “Maybe she has a cousin she hasn’t seen in a while, and that could be Sabrina Carpenter. And then Sydney Sweeney could show up. There’s a bunch of girls that really want to be a part of it, and I’m all for it.”
This marks the second time Seyfried has publicly floated pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s name, although she is now suggesting Carpenter play a cousin rather than Sophie’s daughter. Carpenter’s connection to the franchise gained steam after producer Judy Craymer publicly expressed interest, noting that the singer’s performance of ABBA songs on her recent tour made a strong case for her joining the cast, perhaps as a “goddess or some relation who would look very much like Meryl Streep.”
The Sweeney Connection
The push for Sydney Sweeney is particularly enthusiastic, stemming from the strong personal and professional rapport between Seyfried and the Euphoria star, who recently co-starred in the film The Housemaid. Seyfried has spoken highly of Sweeney’s talent, calling her “beautiful and fun,” and frequently celebrates her friend publicly on social media.
The interest is mutual. Sweeney herself has expressed her willingness to jump into the musical world. “I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. I love ‘Mamma Mia’—something like that would be really fun,” she told Variety in 2023.
The Plot, According to Sophie
While Mamma Mia 3 has yet to be officially greenlit by a studio, producer Judy Craymer has confirmed that a script is indeed underway, lending weight to Seyfried’s optimism. Seyfried offered a few fun, if expected, details on where the story might go:
The Dads Will Return: “I just know the three dads are going to come back, and we still won’t know who the dad is because it doesn’t matter.”
The Queen Will Ghost: “Meryl [Streep] is a ghost, obviously, so she’ll be around.”
The Dynamos are Back: “And Julie [Walters] and Christine [Baranski] will be back singing and looking hot and we’re all going to be somewhere tropical. And ABBA will be playing.”
With the original cast eager to return, a script in development, and high-profile stars like Sydney Sweeney and Sabrina Carpenter ready to sing, it seems only a matter of time before the franchise says “Here We Go Again” one last time.
