SYNOPSIS

PRODUCTION NOTES & PHOTOS

Did you know that Abba is the most successful pop music group in the history of Scandinavia? Helming the film is Phyllida Lloyd, who also directed the play in its London and Broadway runs. The script is by Catherine Johnson. Production first gathered in London to record the score with full rehearsals in May 2007 before filming at Pinewood beginning June 25, followed by five weeks' location on a Greek island. Stellan says it will be great doing a musical and working with Meryl Streep. He jokingly adds, "Meryl Streep isn't totally without talent, right?" According to Stellan, the production people apparently thought his singing was good enough. He says, "I haven't been singing since I starred in 'Drottningens juvelsmycke' at Dramaten twenty years ago. But then again I don't have any personal musical performance, but will just be singing pieces of different songs." He admits he hasn't seen the musical yet and because of his age, he describes himself more of a Beatles/Stones/Dylan guy.

Wrap-up party photos - September 2007:
 

March 8,2008 Update:
Riddled with humour and emotion, the film bids to strike the same tone as its stage-bred progenitor, a deliriously happy, feel-good ride that ensures those that have witnessed its musical delights leave the auditorium in a state of giddy elation. For American cinemagoers, the opening date is July 18th. Did you know there are more productions of the play being staged around the world than any other musical? Over 30 million tickets have been sold worldwide, the show grossing over $2 billion at the international box office. Obviously, any film will struggle to generate quite the same return, but none would refute the fact that there is a ready-made market for the film. While filming last year, Stellan admitted, “I’ve never done anything like this before. Now I’ve been dancing for four days! I’ve probably moved more than I did in the last four years put together. It’s hard work, like boxing, and with the exception of us few old timers, everybody else is 20 years old and professional. Still, it is very good fun and working with Lloyd (film's director) has been great. She’s very aware of getting into the frame what she wants in the frame and she has a fantastic coolness. She doesn’t raise her voice or anything. She’s not stressed, she just walks around and she finds out what she wants and she goes in and she just says the most necessary words, and as a theatre director she is, of course, very good with actors. I just hope they go with Colin’s idea for an Abba detox once we’re through. I’m going to be singing this for months!”
 

Here are photos taken in September 2007 on the Greek island of Skopelos:
 

 

 

  UK PREMIERE PHOTOS

MOVIE STILLS
 

 

 

PRAISE FOR STELLAN'S PERFORMANCE:

"Julie Walters is the scene stealer of the film and definitely gets the most laughs. Skarsgård is close to that level. Unfortunately, they both disappear in the second half and then are given a moment to sing “Take a Chance.”  ...Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review

"Streep is marvellous as a mother on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård embrace their roles without restraint, having as much fun making the film as you should do watching it" ...Damon Smith, Manchester Evening News

"Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård might not be natural choices for a musical, but they give their all and certainly seem to be enjoying themselves.  ...Mark Adams, Sunday Mirror

"Meryl Streep does well to carry a good majority of the film, while the middle-aged male trio of Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård is superb. The chemistry between all of them is sublime, each garnering enough personal highlights to keep everyone happy."   ...Sean Lynch, WebWombat

"Actors Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård surprise us with some musical talents of their own... Skarsgard, who looks different in every movie - if you don’t believe me, watch him as the villain in King Arthur or Father Merrin in The Exorcist: The Beginning - is up to his old tricks here. He nails the laid-back role assigned to him, from his carefree appearance and attitude to his brush with nudity in one funny scene. He also projects a love of dancing."   ...Betty Jo Tucker, Reel Talk

"Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård form a hilarious threesome as the potential fathers with each one playing off the other with perfect timing as if they are a comedy team that has been performing together for years. Each guy seems to be having the time of his life as Firth becomes the fuddy duddy banker, Skarsgård puts on an adventurous swashbuckling persona and Brosnan makes us see the charm in his less than fantastic singing abilities."    ...Willie Waffle, Wafflemovies.com

 "Stellan Skarsgård is the ‘lone wolf’ who finally couples up with Rosie, and his ease of character helps the story to move along." ...Lynnette Webster, Filmmusicals.com

"It has to be said that Brosnan and Skarsgard weren't typical choices for this film. None of that matters, however, as it is more rewarding to hear an untrained, unused, raw singing voice attempting songs far beyond its range, and they all fool around and have a ball while doing so." .... Entertainment.ie

"Two of the three ex-lovers, world-traveling sailor Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) and Harry (Colin Firth), inject some lively energy."    ...Kimberly Gaudette, Live PDX

"Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Skarsgård are very funny as the possible fathers. Yes, they all sing."
    ...Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

"Two of the three come through with low-flying colors; Messrs. Firth and Skarsgård sing and dance gamely."
    ...Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal

"The third possible father is an adventurer portrayed by Sweden's Stellan Skarsgård, who seems positively giddy at the prospect of not having to wear pounds of latex on his face for another installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean."   ...Lou Lumenick, NY Post

"While the potential fathers—Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård—don’t fare quite as well in the vocal department, they still do a good job of playing against their established stiff-Brit personas to comedic effect."   ...Matthew Scott Hunter, Las Vegas Weekly

"The cast is terrific, throwing themselves whole-heartedly into their roles and gamely doing all their own singing. Streep is fabulous as Donna and Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård are perfectly cast as the three different men, even if their singing isn't quite up to Streep's standard."   ...Matthew Turner, View London

"Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård have a great time playing the bimbos who may be Sophie's dad. Kudos to the cast, who did their own singing."   ...Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan

"Although Brosnan's singing is not of the usual standard, it is equally as passable as Firth and Skarsgard who all give life to the more dramatic side of the story."   ...Rick Jackson, Rick's Film Reviews

"Seyfried, whose strong voice, wide-eyed prettiness, and sweet charm make her a presence as lovely as the location. Skarsgård is rather likable in this atypical role as well."    ...Tricia Olszewski, Washington City Paper

"They may not possess magnificent voices, but Firth and Skarsgård are appropriately cast, as well as Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, who play Donna’s zaftig gal pals."  ..Rito Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer

"Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgård nicely portray Sophie's would-be dads." ...Mark Sanchez, Movie Smackdown

There’s not a better trio of respective dads than the likes of Stellan Skarsgård, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, all of whom are quite entertaining in their hapless roles as men pulled in to a wedding of a girl that may be their long lost daughter. These three are never afraid to get goofy in their performances and can handle the singing quite well when they need to.    ...Felix Vasquez, Jr., Cinema Crazed