Abba star plays down Mamma sequel

Former Abba musician Benny Andersson has said there has been "no discussion" about a follow-up to smash hit musical film Mamma Mia!

"There is no talk of a sequel," the Swede told BBC News.

But he added Universal Pictures "would like a sequel because they're just flabbergasted at the success - more than anyone, I think".

The film, which features Abba's hits, recently became the highest-grossing film in UK cinema history.

It has taken more than £67 million at the box office and remains in the top 10 after 17 weeks of release.

Reunion

But Andersson added of Catherine Johnson, the film's screenwriter: "If she comes up with something, if she's keen on it, then maybe she'll call us."

The stage version of Mamma Mia first appeared in 1999

The film, which tells the story a young woman's quest to discover who her father is, co-stars Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in singing roles.

The four members of Abba - Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad - were reunited at the film's Stockholm premiere.

The group, who split in 1982, had not been seen together in public for three years.

They have categorically ruled out a return to the musical stage.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/