Mamma mia! That’s not Greece, it’s Croatia
FANS of the smash-hit Abba film musical Mamma Mia! – filmed on the idyllic Greek island of Skopelos – will be delighted a follow-up is on its way.
But instead of Skopelos, film-makers are shooting in Croatia, in a bid to save some money, money, money.
The 2008 film was a worldwide hit, making €515m, and triggered a tourism boom on the Aegean island.
Now Skopelos islanders are devastated the new movie is being shot elsewhere. Instead, original cast members Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth and Dominic Cooper are heading to the beautiful Dalmatian island of Vis, which will be transformed into the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi.
Christos Vailoudis, mayor of Skopelos, said: ‘The islanders are upset. The film was very important to us and for tourism.’
On Vis, however, there is much excitement, with production teams scouring for locations and hotels and villas booked to cater for 700 people.
Universal Pictures, which is making the film, declined to comment but a senior production source revealed that the decision was made on the grounds of cost and bureaucracy.
Unlike Greece, Croatia offers subsidies to film-makers and permits are not required before filming.
The new film, directed by Ol Parker, will be released in July next year to mark the original’s 10th anniversary.
British actress Lily James will play a young Streep in a prequel that forms part of the new movie.