Why Didn't Meryl Streep Reprise Her Iconic Role Of Donna Sheridan In Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again? Find Out What Theories Claim

Meryl Streep has portrayed various iconic characters on screen in her long career in films. One of the most known roles of the actress is Donna Sheridan, played in Mamma Mia.

Published on Aug 12, 2024  |  01:20 AM IST |  126.2K
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Meryl Streep via Getty Images

Meryl Streep is one of the finest actresses in the industry, and she has taken on roles that are both challenging and iconic at the same time. Her portrayal of Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia is, to date, considered one of the greatest.

While the fans loved watching Streep onscreen in the first part of the Phyllida Lloyd directorial, they were expecting the actress to reprise her character for the second part as well. However, much to the audience’s dismay, Streep turned down the offer of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.  

Apart from the Little Women actress, other cast members from the original film, too, skipped returning to the second part, which was released in 2018. Speaking about Streep’s character in the film, the actress played the mother to Amanda Seyfried, who played the lead role of Sophie. Donna Sheridan owns the Villa Donna Hotel and has a twisted past. The Mamma Mia 2 director, Ol Parker, explained the reason behind the cast members not returning to the sequel. 

Speaking to the media portal, the filmmaker claimed, "There was always a massive desire for a sequel. The studio couldn't have wanted it more, given how much money the original made. But immediately, there was just a struggle. Not every story needs another chapter. So they couldn't really find a proper version that actually made dramatic sense." 

The rumored sources have claimed to the media that Mamma Mia 3 might be in works at the studio. However, one of the trusted sources mentioned to the media earlier that the movie has not yet started filming, but many of the previous cast members would reprise their roles in the third installment.

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ALSO READ: Cannes Film Festival 2024: Meryl Streep Reflects On Her Career, Women In Film And Her Nearly Misplaced Oscar

Meanwhile, in the absence of Streep from the second film, the writer, Richard Curtis, stated that his daughter gave him the idea of writing the movie from the perspective of a prequel. He added, “By having Donna die between the end of the first movie and the start of the second, they could tell more of Donna's story via flashbacks. I felt the movie flowed best that way anyway, describing it as the most meaningful, emotional and impactful way to tell that story."

The creators revealed that though Streep’s character was not physically present in the movie, she appeared to play a ghost, sing a few songs, and then take an exit.

For the third part of the movie, neither the makers nor the studios have let out any information yet. 

 

ALSO READ: Meryl Streep On Nicole Kidman's 'Valkyrie' Performance: Big Little Lies 'Traumatized' Me

FAQ

What award was presented to Meryl Streep at the Cannes Film Festival?
Meryl Streep was honored with Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

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