The first photos of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas have been released!
The Hollywood star is portraying the opera icon in an upcoming biopic titled, Maria, her first time back on the big screen since the 2021 Marvel film Eternals.
The images shared by Fremantle Studios show Angelina in character wearing large, round spectacles in one pic, and a wide hat with a fur coat in another pic:
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in ‘Maria’. Photo: Pablo Larraín via Fremantle
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in ‘Maria’. Photo: Pablo Larraín via Fremantle
“I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria,” director Pablo Larraín said in a statement, “which I hope will bring Maria Callas’ remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steve Knight, the world of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation.”
Angelina also commented on her latest project earlier this year: “I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge.”
What is the Maria biopic about?
According to a release, Maria “will explore the life of the legendary, iconic and controversial singer, often described as the original diva.”
It is based on true accounts and “tells the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and re-imagined during her final days in 1970’s Paris.”
Who is in the Maria cast?
Starring alongside Angelina Jolie will be Pierfrancesco Favino (Adagio, The Hummingbird), Alba Rohrwacher (La Chimera, Hungry Hearts), Haluk Bilginer (Winter Sleep), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Elvis) and Valeria Golino (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Who wrote the film?
The script is written by Steven Knight (Spencer, Peaky Blinders) and was completed prior to the WGA strike. As an independent production, the project is part of a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, allowing filming to continue.
Fun Fact:
Angelina’s costumes in the movie are based on original garments worn by Maria Callas – and a conscious decision was made not to use or source any new fur products. According to a release from Fremantle, the production “consulted with animal rights groups including PETA regarding the use of vintage fur items worn in the film from costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini’s archive collection.”
When will Maria be released?
Filming will take place over 8 weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan. No official release date has been set.
(Feature Image Credit: Pablo Larraín)
