Not much was known about Cher’s character in the upcoming sequel to Mamma Mia, titled Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Until now. New footage shown at CinemaCon in Vegas provided more of her backstory, as well as insights into just how much Meryl Streep will be a part of the film.
Cher plays Ruby Sheridan, the mother of Donna (Meryl Streep/Lily James) and grandmother of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). As fans learned in the original film, Ruby did not approve of Donna’s pregnancy.
“I couldn’t go back,” Donna tells Sophie. “When I got pregnant, mother told me not to bother coming back.”
Fast forward 10 years to the events of Here We Go Again. Donna has apparently passed away. Sophie is expecting and invites her estranged grandmother Ruby to come to the Greek island where she manages Donna’s inn.
We learn that Ruby is a Las Vegas headliner (not a stretch for Cher) who hasn’t left Sin City for 25 years. She takes a private helicopter to the island where she is reunited with her estranged granddaughter. At one point, she even gives Sophie some Simon Cowell-esque advice — presumably after a music performance — telling her granddaughter that she “sounds a little pitchy.”
Ruby also seemingly strikes up a romance with local businessman Fernando Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia). She performs ABBA’s “Fernando” much to the delight of the island residents, and thrilled attendees of CinemaCon in person with the same number.
.@cher #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/VFvsHxbJwQ
— GenreVision.com – @drewdietsch.bsky.social (@DrewDietsch) April 25, 2018
As for Meryl Streep, promos have recycled many shots from the first film and she does seem to play a limited role in the second.
However, Streep does appear in a multi-generational costumed performance of ABBA’s “Super Trouper,” similar to the closing credits in the first film. This group number — which features all the characters from Mamma Mia and their younger counterparts — also includes Cher. The legendary performer takes center stage, of course.
Are you stoked to see Cher in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again? It’ll be her first on-screen role since 2010’s Burlesque!
The musical film opens July 20, 2018 in both the United States and United Kingdom.
