Is “Mamma Mia” Returning to Greece for a Third Movie?

Fourteen years since the first Mamma Mia movie was filmed in Greece, star Colin Firth teased this week that he would return for a third film.

“I think it could happen,” Firth said during Good Morning America on May 5th. “If you manage to make a second one, I guess you can make a third, a fourth, and a fifth. It was already a miracle.”

He added, “And if people want it, I would do it just to see my friends again on some beautiful island.”

Mamma Mia, here we go AGAIN?!

Colin Firth says he's down for a third movie: “I would do it just to see my friends again on some beautiful island.” https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/V4nH1z6PXb

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 5, 2022

Mamma Mia set on Greece’s fictional island of Kalokairi

Set on the Greek island of Kalokairi, the Mamma Mia films star Meryl Streep (and Lily James) as Donna, a hotel owner who is unsure about which of her three ex-boyfriends fathered her daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).

Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, and Pierce Brosnan play the trio of former beaus who could be Sophie’s dad; by sequel “Here We Go Again,” all of them feel like grandparents to Sophie’s child.

Christine Baranski, Andy Garcia, and Dominic Cooper round out the ensemble cast, which included a cameo by Cher in the sequel. Ol Parker directed both features.

First Mamma Mia film was shot in Greece

The first movie, which was shot in Greece, on Skopelos, Skiathos, and in Pilio, was directed by Phyllida Lloyd.

The second film in 2018 “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”,  was shot in Croatia, and was directed by Ol Parker.  It did not return to film in the Greek islands because of the complications created by Greek bureaucracy.

The producers moved the filming location to a remote Croatian island although the story was still based in Greece. The bad press for Greece at least prompted the Greek Film Commission to streamline the process of filming in Greece and on the Greek islands.

Related: Skopelos: The Tranquility of Greece’s Mamma Mia Island

Firth revealed that as “improbable” as it sounds, the Mamma Mia films were just as endearing to make as they were to watch.

“Quite often it looks fun, but it isn’t,” Firth explained. “We’re actually at work, and it’s hard work to make a thing look fun. Not so much this time.”

The Staircase star continued, “We weren’t as drunk as we looked, but it was just the sheer joy of this group of people.”

Trilogy coming up?

Of course, a catchy ABBA soundtrack also makes it impossible not to party: “There’s something about ABBA,” Firth said. “Whatever you think of them—whether you liked them back in the day…It links us all anyway because everybody knows it, so I think there’s a magic to that.”

Mamma Mia producer Judy Craymer previously told Vulture that the idea to do a trilogy was always there.

“I don’t think it would be as difficult to get everyone back together,” Craymer said. “I know I said that there probably will be one. I know. But it’s become such an important brand, and you just gotta get it right. There’s ideas and there’s thoughts, and ABBA has written more songs. I just have to get a move when I’m ready.”