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According to no less than Mr. Darcy himself, Colin Firth, the sequel to Mamma Mia may not feature the music of ABBA. It may have something to do with ABBA co-founder Benny Andersson refusing to grant permission, but also, how many more great Abba songs are left besides "Fernando"? Both Firth and Andersson have floated the idea of a new musical artist's back catalog providing the film's soundtrack, so we looked at five artists who didn't already have their own musicals (sorry, Billy Joel and the Beatles) to see what sort of plot we could put together from their songs.
Madonna
A musical based on Madonna's songs has been long-discussed, but never done, although Desperately Seeking Susan was made into a musical in England using the songs of Blondie -- strange, since Blondie didn't appear on the original film's soundtrack.
Possible Plot: Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper are going through a rough patch, so they take a "Holiday" to Greece, where Meryl Streep tells Seyfried to make Cooper "Express Yourself." Seyfried tells him to "Open Your Heart To Me," but he starts to wonder "Who's That Girl" about another visitor to the island.
Bruce Springsteen
Pierce Brosnan has said he'd love to do a Springsteen musical, so why not finally get the thing off the ground as a Mamma Mia sequel?
Possible Plot: Brosnan and Streep travel back to where Streep was "Born in the USA," and Streep and her bandmates reminisce about "Glory Days." On the streets of New York City, the gang experiences a "Tenth Avenue Freezeout," and Brosnan has to get out of there, because he was "Born to Run."
Rolling Stones
Possible Plot: While visiting with friends, Brosnan and Julie Walters have an affair, because neither can get "Satisfaction." Streep and Stellan Skarsgard take exception to this, and Skarsgard goes looking for "Honky Tonk Women" while Streep simply longs to "Paint It Black".
David Bowie
Bowie wrote all of the songs for Labyrinth, once tried to write a musical based on George Orwell's 1984, and the Ziggy Stardust album is essentially a mini rock opera already, but we'd love to see Meryl Streep trying to apply his greatest hits to her life.
Possible Plot: Hoping to recapture their "Fame," Streep signs the girls up for a Donna and the Dynamos reunion tour, but when the label-assigned stylist criticizes their "Fashion," Streep is a "Rebel, Rebel," tearing her dress and doing it her way. They're "Under Pressure," but their single "Let's Dance" turns them into "Heroes."
Radiohead
I know, you can't imagine a bubbly musical featuring the songs of Radiohead. Heck, some of you may not even be able to name any songs by Radiohead. (Their song titles can be less than forthright.) But if the story was sad enough, they might just be perfect for a poppier re-interpretation.
Possible Plot: After cheating on Seyfried, Cooper realizes he's a "Creep," and Seyfried rightfully points out that he does it to himself ("Just"). She starts to fade out ("Street Spirit"), so all four of her parents come to get her, but Cooper begs them not to leave him "High and Dry." Unfortunately, this is what he gets ("Karma Police").
Which artist would you like to see interpreted by Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia 2? Take a chance below.
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Oh God, WHY?!?! Wasn't the first one bad enough?!
You can't please everyone(like Michelle...oh God ####!...)
What musical or movie have you written that has become the number one musical of all time. Sinking the Titanic, bashing Harry, and knocking off Dark Knight in several countries???!!!
Nothing you've done.
Without ABBA a Mamma Mia 2 would not work.
I agree with Janette.
Mamma Mia was a great and fun movie to escape and go on a holiday to a beautiful greek island!!!!
I love this movie!!!!!
Why call it Mama Mia if it DOESN'T HAVE ABBA SONGS?
I agree with Janette. If you can't write a great musical, then you certainly shouldn't watch one in theaters.
Let's not start bashing people for their personal opinions. Just because you can't paint a picture or write a song or make a gourmet meal doesn't mean you shouldn't voice an opinion about art or music or food. And popularity and quality aren't always the same thing.
That's why I said you can't please everyone!!!
OMG NO!! They cannot make another Mamma Mia without ABBA!!!@#$%^^ It's terrible
Man, I love Springsteen. He's the bomb!