ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus rules out film biopic in surprise move: 'Not while I'm alive'

20 April 2021, 13:58 | Updated: 20 April 2021, 14:46

ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus has made it clear he wouldn't give his blessing for a movie about the life of the band.

ABBA fans will be disappointed to learn there won't be a biopic about the Swedish group anytime soon.

Björn Ulvaeus has announced the band has no plans for a film about their lives and he doesn't like the idea of 'someone playing him'.

See more: ABBA's 20 greatest ever songs, ranked

Screenwriters will be disappointed: The band's successes have come with a wind range of ups and downs including love stories, break-ups and divorce.

ABBA's songs have already been immortalised in films Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, but Björn has ruled a biopic like Elton John's Rocketman out of the picture.

See more: When unknown ABBA sang ‘Waterloo’ in its original Swedish for their breakthrough TV appearance

Speaking about the possibility of a film, the ABBA singer said: “I don’t think we would want that actually, I certainly know myself I wouldn’t want an actor - not while I’m alive - to play me on the big screen and I don’t think the others would like that either.”

In 1969 Björn Ulvaeus met 18-year-old singer-songwriter Agnetha Fältskog, and only weeks before his friend Benny Andersson had also met his future spouse, 23-year-old jazz singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Soon after, they formed ABBA as a foursome.

After touring the world as one of the most famous bands of all time and with record sales of over 385 million to their name, the band's relationships started to fall apart.

See more: ABBA's last ever TV performance in 1982 is so moving

Björn and Agnetha decided to divorce in July 1980, with Benny and Anni-Frid divorcing not long after in 1981.

Abba 'Mamma Mia' Music Video

See more: When ABBA joined U2 for unlikely duet of ‘Dancing Queen’ and were blown away by crowd's response

The song 'The Winner Takes it All' was in part inspired by the breakup of Björn and Agnetha and in 1982 ABBA broke up for good, each singer going their separate ways for the next three decades.

On June 4, 2016 the four members of ABBA reunited on stage for a impromptu performance of 'Me and I' at a private gala in Sweden, however the performance was less of an official comeback, and more of a reunion of old friends.

See more: ABBA reveals why the UK gave them 'nul points' for 'Waterloo' at Eurovision in 1974

In 2020, both Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson hinted fans should be expecting new music soon, confirming the foursome had started working together in the recording studio.

ABBA fans, watch this space..

Björn Ulvaeus opens up on ABBA's reunion and new music