Pablo Larrain Says Angelina Jolie Was “Very Scared” to Sing in Maria Callas Biopic But Braved It

Angelina Jolie is set to captivate audiences as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s upcoming biographical drama, ‘Maria’. Ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Larraín revealed that Jolie was initially apprehensive about singing for the role but dedicated herself fully to the challenge.

In a recent interview, Larraín discussed the extensive preparation Jolie underwent, including six months of vocal training. She worked closely with acclaimed sound designer John Warhurst to master the art of blending her voice with recordings of Callas, aiming for a seamless and authentic portrayal.

Image Courtesy: Playbill

Larraín highlighted the necessity of using Callas’s voice, stating, “How can you make a movie about Maria Callas without using her voice? You can’t.” He acknowledged Jolie’s initial fear but praised her for embracing the challenge with remarkable effectiveness.

The director chose Jolie for the role because of her natural ability to embody the essence of a diva, essential for portraying Callas, whom he described as the “greatest diva of the 20th century.” Larraín believed that Jolie’s presence and gravitas made her the perfect fit for the part.

Jolie expressed her deep commitment to honouring Callas’s legacy, stating that it was a privilege to work on this project with Larraín and screenwriter Steven Knight. She called it a dream come true, having long admired Larraín’s work.

The film also stars Valeria Golino, Alba Rohrwacher, and Pierfrancesco Favino and is expected to be one of the highlights of the Venice International Film Festival.

-Sushmita Sarkar