Hanks company to make Mamma Mia film

Mamma Mia, the musical based on the songs of ABBA, is to be made into a film by Tom Hanks' production company.

Playtone has signed a deal with the show's producer Judy Craymer and her partners, ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, to bring the show to the big screen. The movie is expected to be released in late 2007 but no cast or director have yet been announced.

The makers of Mamma Mia claim it is currently the world's biggest musical, with productions in more than 10 countries across the world.

Hollywood has seen something of a revival in the fortunes of big-screen musicals in the last few years, with Chicago and Moulin Rouge both doing well at the box office.