Amanda Seyfried Musical With Meryl Streep Coming to Prime Video
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The Road Not Taken: How *mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* Delayed a *Wicked* Movie
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Published November 2, 2025, at 15:41:42 PST. Updated as needed to remain evergreen.
The Story Behind the Shift
In 2018, Amanda Seyfried revealed that the production of *mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* directly impacted plans for a film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical *Wicked*.According to Seyfried, Universal Pictures could only commit to one large-scale movie project at the time, and *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* ultimately took priority.Seyfried stated, “I remember they did *Mamma Mia! 2* instead of *Wicked*. They could only do one big movie at that time, so we ended up slotting into that. So, it’s about silly things like that.”
*Mamma Mia!* Franchise Timeline
The *Mamma Mia!* franchise, based on the music of ABBA and the stage musical of the same name, has proven remarkably prosperous. Here’s a breakdown of key dates:
| Film Title | Release Date |
|---|---|
| *Mamma Mia!* | July 18, 2008 |
| *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* | July 20, 2018 |
The first *Mamma Mia!* film grossed over $609 million worldwide (Box Office mojo), cementing its place as a blockbuster musical. The sequel, *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*, earned over $395 million globally (Box Office Mojo), demonstrating continued audience interest.
The Long Wait for *Wicked*
fans of *Wicked* have eagerly anticipated a film adaptation for years. The musical, wich premiered on Broadway in 2003, tells the story of the Witches of Oz before and during the events of *The Wizard of Oz*. The complexities of adapting a stage spectacle of that scale likely contributed to the delays.
In February 2024, Universal Pictures announced that *Wicked* would be released as a two-part cinematic event. (The hollywood Reporter) The first part premiered in November 2024, and the second is slated for 2025. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.
Why *Mamma Mia!* Took Precedence
Several factors likely contributed to Universal’s decision to prioritize *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*. The first film’s financial success made a sequel a relatively safe bet. Musicals, especially those with well-known soundtracks, frequently enough perform well at the box office. Moreover, securing the cast