First Mamma Mia film was shot in Greece 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.
In the original "Mamma Mia," the Greek island of Skopelos played the fictional island of Kalokairi. But to shoot "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," filmmakers turned to the island of Vis, off the coast of Croatia.
Some have even claimed that Mamma Mia is officially based on the 1968 film. Critic John Simon speculated that Mamma Mia is set in Greece and not Italy (which might have fit in better with the musical's title) to make the connection to the film less obvious.
Here We Go Again," the fictional island of Kalokairi got a new location. Instead of Skopelos, Greece, filming took place on the Croatian island of Vis.
No, Kalokari is a fictional island in Mamma Mia, the real filming location is in Skopelos. The majority of the film was shot on Glysteri Beach and Kastani Beach, close to Skopelos Town, while Sophie's wedding took place at The Chapel of Agios Ioannis.
Mamma Mia 2: Stars reveal why cast didn't return to Greece!
Who was Sophie's dad?
Although the film never reveals who Sophie's dad is, fans do have their suspicions. Atom Tickets recently surveyed customers about the mystery, and the results were pretty mixed. While 40 percent believe Sophie's dad is Sam, 16 percent think it's Bill, and 14 percent think it's Harry.
Streep's character was killed off in the sequel to allow the story to be told through prequel flashbacks, where Lily James portrayed a younger version of Donna. Despite her character's death, Meryl Streep is willing to return for Mamma Mia 3 if the film is ever green-lit.
After 2018's “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” sequel, rumblings of a third film have been encouraged by its ensemble cast, most recently Colin Firth. Producer Judy Craymer also teased that a third film is “in its earliest stages” in 2023, and shared her hope that Streep will reprise the role of Donna.
Can you stay in the hotel where Mamma Mia was filmed?
Unfortunately, the hotel Villa Donna is not real, much like Kalokairi Island. That said, Villa Donna' is supposedly above Glysteri Beach in Skopelos. However, there are plenty of outstanding hotels on both Skopelos and Skiathos for Mamma Mia's lovers to enjoy and feel like part of the cast.
It's name is Agios Ioannis Kastri but it's often referred to as the Mama Mia Church. When we told our host we were planning to go there he told us some interesting bits about it. The church in the movie was actually a fake one built around the original, so it was more prominent on the cliff top.
This small church gained a huge reputation after the Hollywood movie Mamma Mia was released, where many scenes from the wedding were actually filmed there.
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, were executive producers of both "Mamma Mia" and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." Meryl Streep really did the splits in the first film. Meryl Streep said that it was "instinct" that allowed her to do splits in the first film, although she's not sure she could replicate it now.
In Mamma Mia 2, Cher will play Meryl Streep's mother. Meryl Streep is 68 years old. Cher is 71. And this means that, in the Mamma Mia universe, Cher gave birth to Meryl Streep when she was three.
Here We Go Again revealed Streep's character, Donna, to have died. Her absence serves as the plot's launchpad, with daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) reopening the Hotel Villa Donna in her honor and unraveling the truth of her mother's past.
The main climax scene of the movie was shot in the closed sets at the bell tower, with the beautiful sets of a wedding on the island. The shooting at the harbor was a public event with lots of tourists gathering to get a glimpse of the stars, while many locals were invited to play the roles of extras.
There's no question that the movie has played a vital role in making Kastani beach the Skopelos island's most famous location today. And if you're a fan of the film, you can join a tour, taking you to the different Mamma Mia locations across the beach.
Donna is introduced as the doting mother to Sophie Sheridan, as well as the cash-strapped and stressed owner and manageress of a hotel, the Villa Donna on the Greek island of Kalokairi. Donna is also one of three best-friends and band members, of Donna and the Dynamos, of which she was the lead singer.
Skopelos Island is one of the three islands that make up the Sporades, a group of four Greek islands in the northwest Aegean Sea. The three others are Alonnisos, Skiathos, and Skyros. Skopelos was the main island used to film the fictional island setting of Kalokairi in the original Mamma Mia! movie.
Christine Baranski cleared up the long-standing rumor that the cast of Mamma Mia! was drunk while filming the movie, by saying they never drank on set, but were very hungover one day after going out to dinner and drinking Tsipouro, a Greek spirit that has a 40%–45% ABV.
From left, James as a young Donna; Streep as Donna in the 2008 film; 72-year-old Cher playing 69-year-old Streep's mother; Seyfried as 20-year-old Sophie in the 2008 film.
Canonically, from flashbacks in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Donna only slept with Harry and Bill once each, whereas she spent a week with Sam. This makes it more likely statistically for Sam to be Sophie's biological dad.
At one point, old Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) appears in a fat suit. It's his brother, who shows up in his place to accept an award so the real Bill can go to Greece. 13. “I can't sing about love when I can't feel it.” Young Donna says this at the local bar on Kalokairi, right before performing “Mamma Mia.”
Thankfully, both co-creator and producer Judy Craymer, and director of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again Ol Parker have now confirmed that there are plans for Mamma Mia 3 to happen. The latest update? Meryl Streep has teased that she will return as our dearly departed Donna Sheridan in a bigger capacity.
