The first trailer for the "Mamma Mia" sequel "Here We Go Again" dropped on Thursday, raising a few questions, as well as heartbeats, along the way.
Fans expecting for a breezy teaser were surprised by the worried face of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she welcomes her mother's friends Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) in their island home.
"I'm so glad you're here," Sophie says. "I'm pregnant, but I don't know how to do this by myself."
First shocker, looks like her mother Donna, played by multi-Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, is missing.
Rosie later says, "Your mother is the bravest person we ever met," insinuating that Streep's character has died sometime between the first movie in 2008 and the upcoming sequel in 2018.
But Donna is far from gone, as "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" will explore her younger years, and how similar it will be for her daughter decades later.
The franchise's second installment follows a young Donna, played by Lily James ("Baby Driver"), who is playful and feisty and not afraid to fight for what she loves. It also shows how she would get through her pregnancy without her baby's father, just like how Sophie might have to go through it in present time.
Launching in theaters on July 20, 2018, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" will bring back Pierce Brosnan (Sam), Colin Firth (Harry), and Stellan Skarsgard (Bill), who will all reprise their roles as Sophie's potential fathers. Playing the main their younger versions are Jeremy Irvine, Hugh Skinner, and Josh Dylan, respectively.
Alexa Davies will play young Rosie, while Jessica Keenan Wynn will star as young Tanya. Superstar Cher will also be appearing as Sophie's grandmother.
The musical drama sequel will premiere 10 years after the first installment grossed $600 million worldwide. Shot in Vis Island, Croatia, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" was written and directed by Ol Parker.
