‘Mamma Mia!' actor recalls ‘unbearable' day on set — and how Christine Baranski reacted to complaints
'Mamma Mia!' actor Juan Pablo Di Pace is recalling an unbearably hot day on the set of the franchise's first film — and how Christine Baranski kept it cool.
Baranski, 73, played Tanya in the 2008 musical comedy and reprised her role in its 2018 sequel, 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.'
7 Baranski played Tanya in 2008's 'Mamma Mia!' and 2018's 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
7 Di Pace appeared as Petros, later revealed to be Harry Bright's (Colin Firth) partner, in the original film.
Universal Pictures
Di Pace portrayed Petros in the original installment, appearing in dance numbers throughout and later revealed to be Harry Bright's (Colin Firth) partner.
'I just loved every second of rehearsing and shooting it,' Di Pace, 45, exclusively told The Post, specifically reflecting on the iconic 'Does Your Mother Know' beach scene with Baranski.
'We were all just so hot, and it was really summer, like the heat was unbearable,' he explained. 'We had to do this massive number, all the boys around her, and eight hours later, all the boys, who were 20, were complaining.'
That's when Baranski spoke up.
7 Baranski in the iconic 'Does Your Mother Know' beach scene in 'Mamma Mia!'
Universal Pictures
'Come on, guys, we're doing what we love,' he recalled her saying.
'All of a sudden, everyone just got it. We were like, 'Yeah, what are we complaining about? This is exactly what we're here for,'' Di Pace said.
'It was amazing, and she's amazing, and everyone in that movie was just so great,' he concluded.
7 'Mamma Mia!' premiered 17 years ago on July 18, 2008.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
'Mamma Mia!' premiered 17 years ago on July 18, 2008. Both a prequel and a sequel, 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' hit theaters on July 20, 2018, within days of its predecessor's release.
Since then, there have been ongoing talks of a 'Mamma Mia! 3,' which Baranski said is in the works.
'I was in London [producer] Judy Craymer at our favorite watering hole, [and] she is planning 'Mamma Mia! 3,'' she told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview published in August 2024. 'She gave me the narrative plotline of how it's going to happen.'
7 There have been ongoing talks of a 'Mamma Mia! 3.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
'The Gilded Age' star said Craymer 'makes things happen,' noting that she made the second 'Mamma Mia!' movie, and it was 'a phenomenal hit.'
'I wouldn't put it past Judy Craymer to get everybody back together,' Baranski added.
In the meantime, the stage production of the hit musical is heading back to Broadway this summer.
7 Di Pace makes his feature debut this month with 'Before We Forget.'
New York Post
It is returning to the Winter Garden Theatre, where it originally opened in 2001, with previews set to begin on August 2 and opening night scheduled for August 14.
The limited Broadway engagement is set to run through February 1, 2026.
Di Pace is known for his role as Fernando, Kimmy Gibbler's on-again, off-again lover, in 'Fuller House.' He also portrayed Jesus in NBC's 'A.D.: The Bible Continues' and finished fifth on Season 27 of 'Dancing with the Stars.'
7 The Broadway revival of 'Mamma Mia!' is returning to the Winter Garden Theatre this summer.
Getty Images
The Argentine actor makes his directorial debut this month with 'Before We Forget,' a nostalgic, years-spanning story of queer first love — in which he also stars.
The film is set for theatrical release in New York on July 11, Los Angeles on July 18, and additional markets on July 25.
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