The writer/director P.J. Hogan wanted to use the music of ABBA in the film. At first, permission for the music to be used was denied. When the director promised to fly to Europe to plead his case to the founders of the band, permission was granted, as long as the band received a percentage of the film profits. The film turned out to be a big international hit. The film helped inspire the very successful Broadway show "Mamma-Mia". Toni Collette gained 40 pounds in 7 weeks with the he ...[Read Story ]