Angelina Jolie Stars as Maria Callas: First Look, Release Date, Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Angelina Jolie returns to the screen in the role of opera legend Maria Callas, one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, in Pablo Larraín’s latest biopic, Maria. This film marks the final installment in Larraín’s trilogy on iconic women of the past century, following his acclaimed works Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).

Written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, Maria delves into the final years of the American-born Greek soprano as she lives in seclusion in 1970s Paris, reflecting on a life of stunning success and controversy. Lavishly crafted, the film captures Callas as she grapples with the profound weight of her fame and enduring legacy.

Jolie, who performs her own singing in the film, spoke to Variety about her dedication to capturing Callas’s spirit, saying, “I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge.”

She expressed her admiration for Larraín and Knight’s work, noting, “Pablo Larraín 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.”

Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas during the shooting of PAblos Larrain’s “Maria”. Credit: Jolie Pitt.

Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas during the shooting of PAblos Larrain’s “Maria”. Credit: Jolie Pitt.

Maria debuted at the 81st Venice Film Festival, where it received an eight-minute standing ovation and quickly sparked Oscar buzz, particularly for Jolie’s portrayal.

Greek audiences are eagerly anticipating the film, which will open the Thessaloniki International Film Festival on October 31 and premiere in cinemas nationwide on December 5.

The film also features Greek talent, including Lydia Koniordou as Callas’s mother and newcomer Aggelina Papadopoulou as the young Callas, with scenes shot on location in Greece. The release comes at a fitting time, just after the centenary of Callas’s birth in December 2023, which UNESCO included in its commemorative events.

The new Maria Callas Museum in Athens, inaugurated in October 2023, and several other tributes celebrated last year her lasting influence on both music and culture.