The name's Bjorn: Abba film to star Brosnan
Friday, 9 March 2007
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Once he was Bond, James Bond, and widely considered the best Bond since Sean Connery. But since handing over the 007 role to Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan has been applauded for choosing unusual parts that cut across the stereotype of the suave secret agent.
Now he is to star in his first musical, singing Abba songs alongside Meryl Streep in the film version of the popular stage show Mamma Mia.
Brosnan, who has dual American and Irish citizenship, told the trade paper Variety that he accepted the part because of the chance to work with Streep and because he had enjoyed the stage musical.
Mamma Mia has been a surprise hit since it opened in London in 1999, becoming enormously popular with hen parties, who enjoy the sing-a-long aspect, but also enjoying huge success in the United States, where it is now the longest running musical in Las Vegas. It has grossed more than £1bn worldwide.
The show weaves Abba's greatest hits, such as the title song, Waterloo and Knowing Me, Knowing You, into a story about a bride-to-be, raised by a single mother, who wants to know the identity of her father before her wedding day. Brosnan is to play one of the three likely father figures invited to the wedding in Greece by her mother, who will be played by Streep.
Brosnan said he accepted the role immediately when approached by Universal Pictures. He said: "I saw the show with my family in London, and found it just so wonderfully happy and joyful, and so pitched in time forever in the 1970s. What a kick in the pants, to be able to go off and spend time with Meryl on some Greek island, singing Abba songs."
Judy Craymer, one of the producers, said: "Pierce brings a certain smooch factor, and we think he'll have great chemistry with Meryl in a romantic comedy."
The other producers include the former Abba members and songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who produced the stage show, and the actor Tom Hanks.
The film, which begins shooting later this year and is due for release next year, will be directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who directed the musical in 1999, but has also worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe and directed several operas.
Although Brosnan is not normally associated with musicals, he sang Irish folk songs in the drama Evelyn and sang on stage early in his career. Since his last Bond film, Die Another Day in 2002, he has been praised by critics for broadening his acting canvas with roles such as the romantic comedy, Laws of Attraction and the black comedy The Matador, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Abba: The legacy...
* The group have sold 370 million records worldwide. Their back catalogue is second only to the Beatles in its estimated worth
* Mamma Mia isone of the most successful musicals ever, earning founders Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson more than £100m each
Many artists have cited them as an influence. U2, the Fugees and Madonna have either performed or sampled their songs
* Alan Partridge, the creation of the comedian Steve Coogan, is a big Abba fan, naming his chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You
