Lily James Set to Play Young Donna in Mamma Mia Sequel

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Lily James, who might seem familiar from starring opposite Ansel Elgort in Baby Driver, just nabbed one of the biggest roles in Hollywood as Hollywood’s favorite leading lady: Meryl Streep. James will play a young Donna Sheridan, Streep’s original Mamma Mia character, in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, THR first reported. The film will flash forward and backward in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present.

The 2008 adaption of the ABBA-based stage musical grossed more than $600 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing musical adaptions of all time. Streep herself will return for the sequel, along with Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth and Christine Baranski. Several ABBA songs not in the first film will be included, along with some reprised favorites. The sequel, written and directed by Ol Parker, hits theaters in nearly one year on July 20, 2018.