Angelina Jolie Transforms Into a Musical Icon in New ‘Maria’ Images

Angelina Jolie transforms into the iconic opera singer Maria Callas in the latest images from the upcoming biopic ‘Maria’. The film, which will make its debut at the Venice International Film Festival starting today, has been acquired by Netflix for distribution in the US.

‘Maria’ focuses on Callas, the renowned 20th-century soprano, during the final years of her life in the 1970s. As her health deteriorates and her once-powerful voice fades, the film portrays her struggle to regain her voice while living in seclusion in Paris, where she passed away in 1977 at the age of 53. The new images showcase Callas at the peak of her career, celebrated for her extraordinary voice, and later during her decline as she withdrew from the public eye.

Image Courtesy: Collider

Directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, known for his recent film ‘El Conde’, ‘Maria’ is described by Larraín as his most personal project to date. He aims to create a creative and psychological portrait of Callas, exploring her journey to rediscover her identity and voice.

The film features an impressive international cast, including Valeria Golino as Callas’ sister Yakinthi Callas, and Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis, Callas’ longtime lover. Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, and Pierfrancesco Favino also have roles. 

Image Courtesy: Collider

The cinematography is handled by Edward Lachman, an Oscar-nominated talent known for his work on ‘Far From Heaven’, ‘Carol’, and ‘El Conde’. The script is written by Steven Knight, the creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’, who also penned the screenplay for Larraín’s ‘Spencer’.

‘Maria’ is the third installment in a loose trilogy of films about significant 20th-century women facing pivotal moments in their lives, following ‘Jackie’ and ‘Spencer’. 

The film will premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, and a Netflix release date will be announced soon.

–Farheen Ali