At the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2025, Amanda Seyfried sent shockwaves through the Mamma Mia! fandom with a tantalizing hint that has set hearts dancing and social media ablaze. In an exclusive red-carpet interview with Deadline, the 39-year-old star, radiant in a blush-pink gown, confirmed the long-rumored third installment of the ABBA-fueled musical franchise with a coy but definitive, “It is, yes.” Her cautious yet hopeful words, paired with a beaming smile, have unleashed a tidal wave of excitement, with fans already dreaming of returning to the sun-soaked Greek island of Kalokairi. Seyfried’s revelation didn’t stop there—she disclosed that the star-studded ensemble, including Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Cher, and Stellan Skarsgård, are all eagerly on board, ready to don their bell-bottoms for another round of love, laughter, and ABBA anthems.

The Mamma Mia! saga, a jukebox musical born from the 1999 stage production and ABBA’s timeless hits, first dazzled audiences with its 2008 film adaptation. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the movie followed Sophie Sheridan (Seyfried), a young bride-to-be who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna’s (Streep) past—Sam (Brosnan), Harry (Firth), and Bill (Skarsgård)—to her wedding, hoping to uncover her father’s identity. With its infectious energy, star power, and Greek island charm, it grossed over $600 million worldwide. The 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, directed by Ol Parker, blended prequel and sequel, flashing back to young Donna’s (Lily James) adventures while Sophie navigated her mother’s legacy and pregnancy. Despite Donna’s off-screen death, the film’s $395 million haul and tear-jerking finale, featuring Streep’s ghostly cameo, left fans clamoring for more.

Seyfried’s TIFF bombshell, delivered during a whirlwind press tour for her acclaimed drama The Testament of Ann Lee, confirms what producer Judy Craymer has teased for years: Mamma Mia! 3 is no longer a dream but a reality in motion. “We all said, ‘Yeah, definitely,’” Seyfried told Deadline, underscoring the cast’s enthusiasm. “It’s our way of marketing and getting support. Big movies like that are all about studio timing.” Her comments hint at logistical hurdles, noting that Universal Pictures’ scheduling—particularly around the 2024 release of Wicked and its upcoming sequel—delayed progress. “They could only do one big musical at a time,” she explained, referencing the studio’s prioritization of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again over Wicked in 2018. With Wicked: For Good slated for November 2025, the path is now clear for Mamma Mia! 3 to take center stage.

The cast’s eagerness is palpable. Meryl Streep, 76, whose character Donna Sheridan met a tragic end in the sequel, has brainstormed creative ways to return. At a May 2024 event, she told Deadline she’d consider a reincarnation plot, joking about “legendary after-shooting dinners” with the cast. Christine Baranski, 73, who plays the glamorous Tanya, revealed in August 2024 that she discussed the third film’s plot with Craymer over dinner in London. “Judy’s got a narrative that’s going to blow everyone away,” Baranski teased, hinting at a story that builds on Sophie’s journey as a mother. Pierce Brosnan, 72, called the prospect “criminal fun” in 2022, while Colin Firth, 65, and Stellan Skarsgård, 74, have expressed unwavering commitment, with Skarsgård telling Digital Spy he’d sign on “without reading the script.” Julie Walters, 75, and Cher, 79, who played Sophie’s grandmother Ruby in the sequel, are also reportedly ready to reunite, with Cher’s show-stopping “Fernando” performance still a fan favorite.

The buzz around Mamma Mia! 3 centers on its potential to blend nostalgia with fresh stakes. While plot details remain under wraps, Craymer’s vision of a trilogy, first floated in 2020, suggests a focus on Sophie’s life as a mother to her son, Donny, introduced in Here We Go Again. Fans speculate the story could explore Donny’s coming-of-age, with Sophie navigating family dynamics and the legacy of Hotel Bella Donna. Streep’s return poses a challenge, but possibilities include flashbacks, ghostly appearances, or a bold resurrection—perhaps tied to ABBA’s mystical “Mamma Mia” magic. Seyfried, ever the franchise’s heart, told Interview Magazine in March 2025 that she’d “do it in a heartbeat,” emphasizing the cast’s bond: “We’re like a family, desperate to get back to that island.” Her TIFF comments suggest filming could begin in summer 2026, with a potential spring 2027 release if post-production aligns.

The production faces high expectations. The first film’s DIY charm—shot on Skopelos and Skiathos with real olive trees on Pinewood’s 007 stage—set a vibrant tone, while the sequel’s Croatian vistas and polished choreography raised the bar. Fans on X, where #MammaMia3 trended post-TIFF, demand more ABBA hits like “The Winner Takes It All” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” alongside new characters. Rumors swirl about pop star Sabrina Carpenter joining as a relative of Donna’s, possibly a cousin or niece, with Craymer envisioning her as “a goddess who looks like Meryl.” Seyfried herself endorsed Carpenter in 2024, telling ABC News, “If Sabrina wants to play my daughter, I’ll make it happen.” The casting speculation has fueled fan art, with edits imagining Carpenter in sequined bell-bottoms belting “Voulez-Vous.”

Challenges loom, from studio scheduling to balancing fan expectations. The sequel’s darker tone—Donna’s death, Sophie’s pregnancy—divided some fans, who crave the original’s unapologetic joy. Social media debates on Reddit’s r/MammaMia argue whether the third film should lean into comedy or deepen the drama. Universal is banking on the franchise’s global appeal, with the first two films amassing nearly $1 billion combined. Pre-production is reportedly underway, with Craymer collaborating with writers Catherine Johnson and Richard Curtis to craft a script that honors ABBA’s legacy while introducing fresh faces. Director candidates include Parker, who helmed the sequel, or a new voice like Greta Gerwig, whose knack for heartfelt ensemble stories could refresh the formula.

The cultural impact is undeniable. Mamma Mia! tapped into a universal craving for escapism, with its Greek island setting and ABBA’s earworms resonating across generations. The films’ sing-along editions and stage show’s $4.5 billion global gross underscore their staying power. Seyfried’s TIFF moment, fresh off her Venice Film Festival standing ovation for The Testament of Ann Lee, positions her as the franchise’s linchpin, her Sophie evolving from wide-eyed dreamer to resilient matriarch. Posts on X, like one from @ABBAFanatic, capture the mood: “Amanda saying ‘It is, yes’ is my Super Trouper moment! Let’s go back to Kalokairi!” Bookstores report a surge in Mamma Mia! soundtracks, while Greek tourism boards are already pitching Skopelos for filming.

For now, the Mamma Mia! 3 train is full steam ahead, fueled by Seyfried’s infectious optimism and a cast ready to dance again. As fans await casting news and plot reveals, the promise of ABBA’s music, sun-drenched romance, and the cast’s legendary chemistry keeps hope alive. Whether it’s Sophie’s next chapter, Donna’s ghostly encore, or a new generation of dancing queens, one thing’s certain: Mamma Mia! 3 is poised to make the world sing, “Here we go again!”