Angelina Jolie’s first look as Maria Callas in the upcoming biopic Maria has been unveiled (via Deadline). Maria will delve into the life of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, often dubbed the original diva.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria is based on true events and explores the dramatic, beautiful, and tragic story of the world’s greatest female opera singer. It is all set against the backdrop of 1970s Paris, focusing on Maria Callas’s final days.
First Look Images: Angelina Jolie’s Maria Callas
The movie, which has secured a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, boasts an impressive ensemble cast. In addition to Angelina Jolie, the cast features Pierfrancesco Favino (Adagio and The Hummingbird), Alba Rohrwacher (La Chimera and Hungry Hearts), Haluk Bilginer (Winter Sleep), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog and Elvis), and Valeria Golino (Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Caos Calmo).
The screenplay, completed prior to the WGA strike, is penned by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). The film is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín (Fabula), Jonas Dornbach (Komplizen), and Lorenzo Mieli (The Apartment). FilmNation Entertainment is handling the film’s sales.
Production is Underway
The production for Mario is currently in full swing, with an eight-week shoot spanning across locations in Paris, Greece, Budapest, and Milan.
“I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria, which I hope will bring Maria Callas’s remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation,” Lorrain Stated.
As per the producers, Angelina Jolie’s costumes in the movie are crafted based on the actual garments once donned by Maria Callas. To ensure ethical choices, the production team collaborated with animal rights organizations, including PETA, specifically regarding the inclusion of vintage fur items from costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini’s archive collection. Importantly, the production consciously refrained from using or acquiring any new fur items.
Maria does not have a release date yet.
