Angelina Jolie Shares Details About Playing Maria Callas Biopic: “I’ve re-learned the word ‘Diva'”

Angelina Jolie has spoken up about her role as Maria Callas in the upcoming biopic “Maria,” stating that she has re-learned the definition of “diva” and has a renewed appreciation for the late opera legend’s life and legacy.

During a panel at the 81st Venice Film Festival, Angelina Jolie, 49, explained what the term “diva” means to her, given that Callas was widely regarded as “a great diva.” She explained that during her research and preparation for the role, she re-learned the term and developed a new relationship with it.

Angelina Jolie’s New Appreciation for Maria Callas

I believe that other people’s perceptions of a woman frequently define, sometimes excessively, who she is, who she was, or what she intended,” Angelina Jolie stated. “And I actually think [Maria] was one of the hardest-working people, who didn’t hurt anybody.”

Angelina Jolie also discussed her personal connection to Callas, stating that she linked to the singer’s gentler, more emotional side, which was rarely seen by the public. She also talked about the difficulties of preparing for the part, such as spending nearly seven months rehearsing for the vocal portion of it.

“My first time singing, I remember being so nervous,” she remarked. “My sons were there and they helped to block the door [so] that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky.”

The film, written by Stephen Knight, tells the “tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris”. Netflix has bought the film’s rights, although no release date has been announced.