Angelina Jolie Set to Play Opera Singer Maria Callas

Angelina Jolie is signing on to the upcoming film Maria. Jolie, 47, will take on the lead role in the film, which follows the life of opera singer Maria Callas.

The biopic, which is currently in pre-production, will be directed by Spencer director, Pablo Larrain. Larrain;s brother, Juan de Dios Larrain, is producing the flick for Fabula Pictures. And Oscar-nominee Steven Knight has penned the script.

The Plot of Maria

The movie will be based on true accounts and is to tell the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the renowned opera singer, re-imagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.

Callas was born in Manhattan and received her opera training in Greece when she was a teenager. Throughout her career, she dealt with near-sightedness that almost blinded her and was at the centre of scandals in both her personal and professional life.

The star had an intense rivalry with the Italian opera singer Renata Tabaldi and had an affair with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis – who later left her for Jacqueline Kennedy (coincidentally the subject of Larrain’s 2016 film Jackie, which starred Natalie Portman in the lead role).

Callas died of a heart attack aged 53 in 1977 after spending her final years living in isolation in Paris.

Pablo Larrain Comments on Angelina Jolie’s Casting

“Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream.” Pablo Larrain, 46, said in a recent interview.

“To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift.” Larrain added in regards to the news of Jolie’s casting.

Angelina Jolie Takes the Responsibility of the Role “Very Seriously”

Angelina Jolie also commented on joining the production, saying, “I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life
and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge.”

“Pablo Larrain is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria’s story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream.” Jolie added.