Cinderella actress Lily James will be putting her vocals to the test as the latest addition to Universal’s Mamma Mia musical sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. James will be playing “young Donna”, or the younger version of Meryl Streep’s character, in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. The actress will figure into the story in flashbacks that show how Donna’s past life and relationships have informed her present.
Returning to the film are original stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, and Christine Baranski. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel filmmaker Ol Parker has written the script and will also be directing the film, set to begin shooting soon in order to hit a July 20, 2018 release.
The original 2008 Mamma Mia was based off of the stage musical that featured hit songs from ABBA, and the sequel will continue the story with tracks from the rest of the mega-band’s discography. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus are also returning to provide music and lyrics. James, who sang “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” for 2015’s live-action Cinderella, will surely be a welcome voice within the film’s harmony.
James can most recently be seen in this summer’s Edgar Wright hit Baby Driver alongside Ansel Elgort. Up ahead, she will be starring opposite Gary Oldman in the Winston Churchill drama Darkest Hour, the romantic drama Guernsey with Michiel Huisman, and alongside Tessa Thompson (Creed) in the modern western Little Woods.