Actress Meryl Streep. - Reuters

Meryl Streep is set to star in a movie version of the hit ABBA-inspired musical Mamma Mia.

This will be the first big screen musical for the actress. However, she has previously displayed her vocal talents in A Prairie Home Companion, Postcards From the Edge and Death Becomes Her.

Mamma Mia tells the story of a bride-to-be and her mother who raised her on a small Greek island, never revealing the identity of her father. The bride tracks down three men who she suspects could be her father, and invites them all to the wedding. Streep will play the bride's mother.

The musical showcases 22 ABBA songs, including Take a Chance on Me, Dancing Queen and The Winner Takes It All.

Former ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus will be executive producers.

The movie's screenplay has been written by Catherine Johnson, who also created the theatre version.

Directorial debut

Theatre veteran Phyllida Lloyd is in talks to make her directorial debut on the movie, which will be distributed by Universal Pictures.

Streep has just finished working on political thriller Rendition, alongside Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The 57-year-old actress recently signed up to star in Lions for Lambs, which also features Robert Redford and Tom Cruise.