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'Mamma Mia!' goes from stage to screen

LOS ANGELES, April 19 (UPI) -- The Abba Broadway musical "Mamma Mia!," scorned by critics and loved by the public, is headed to the big screen.

Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman have a deal with the musical's producer and writers -- Judy Craymer, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus -- and are now in talks with Universal Pictures, Daily Variety reports.

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The film will stick closely to the stage show with a 2007 release being eyed, Variety said.

The story follows a bride-to-be who invites three men to her wedding -- any one of whom could turn out to be her father. The musical includes 22 Abba songs including "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All."

The musical has been among Broadway's top five grossing shows since it opened five years ago and has pulled in $1.6 billion since it opened in London in 1999.

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