5 Shocking Revelations About Angelina Jolie’s Transformative Role As Maria Callas In The New Biopic 'Maria'

The cinematic world is abuzz this December 2025 with the release of *Maria*, the highly anticipated biographical drama that sees Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie embody the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Directed by Chilean auteur Pablo Larraín, known for his intimate portraits of iconic women in films like *Jackie* and *Spencer*, this new film is not a sprawling epic but a psychological deep dive into the final, lonely years of "La Divina." It promises a raw, emotional look at the woman behind the myth, focusing on her identity crisis and profound solitude in 1970s Paris.

The project, simply titled *Maria*, has captivated audiences and critics since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, largely due to Jolie's commanding and deeply felt performance. Far from a standard biopic, the film zeroes in on the week leading up to Callas's death in 1977, offering a near-hallucinogenic reflection on her tumultuous life, lost love, and unparalleled career. This article explores the latest updates, the full cast, the intense preparation Jolie undertook, and why this film is being hailed as one of the most significant cinematic events of the year.

The Tragic Life and Legacy of La Divina: Maria Callas's Profile

To truly appreciate the scope of Angelina Jolie’s task, one must understand the complex life of Maria Callas, a figure whose artistry and personal drama remain unmatched in the world of opera. Born Cecilia Sophia Anna Maria Kalogeropoulos in New York City in 1923 to Greek immigrant parents, Callas became the most famous and influential soprano of the 20th century.

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Maria Callas: A Biographical Snapshot

• Full Name: Cecilia Sophia Anna Maria Kalogeropoulos
• Born: December 2, 1923, New York City, USA
• Died: September 16, 1977, Paris, France (Age 53)
• Occupation: Opera Singer (Soprano)
• Nickname: "La Divina" (The Divine One)
• Key Style: Revolutionized the *bel canto* repertoire, known for her dramatic intensity and technical mastery.
• Key Relationships: Married to Italian industrialist Giovanni Battista Meneghini (1949–1959); Long-term, high-profile affair with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (1959–1968).
• Final Years: After her high-profile affair with Onassis ended—when he married Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis—Callas largely withdrew from the opera stage. She spent her final years in a luxurious apartment in Paris, struggling with health issues, vocal decline, and profound isolation, which is the period the film *Maria* covers.

Callas's career was marked by both legendary performances—such as her iconic *Tosca* and *Norma*—and public scandals, often fueled by her volatile temperament and dramatic weight loss. Her final operatic appearance was in 1965, just 41 years old, an age considered the peak for many sopranos. The film delves into the private tragedy that followed her public triumphs, exploring the deep scars left by her intense, ultimately heartbreaking relationship with Aristotle Onassis.

Angelina Jolie's Transformation: A Deep Dive into Pablo Larraín's 'Maria'

Director Pablo Larraín has a distinct approach to biopics, choosing to focus on a specific, emotionally charged period rather than a cradle-to-grave narrative. In *Maria*, he and screenwriter Steven Knight chose to explore the final, introspective chapter of Callas's life. This approach demanded a nuanced performance and a meticulous physical transformation from Angelina Jolie.

The first images and the haunting trailer for *Maria* immediately showcased Jolie's stunning physical and sartorial metamorphosis. She is seen wearing the large, iconic sunglasses, elegant scarves, and sophisticated, period-appropriate clothing that defined Callas's later style. The film's costume design, which utilizes actual garments worn by Maria Callas, helps to ground the performance in authenticity and pays homage to the soprano’s legendary elegance.

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The Cast and Real-Life Figures

While the film is largely a one-woman show, the supporting cast plays crucial roles in reflecting the memories and realities of Callas’s isolated life. The film uses a small ensemble to populate her final days in Paris, primarily interacting with her butler and confidantes. The key cast members and the historical figures they portray include:

• Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas
• Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis: The Greek shipping tycoon and Callas’s great love, whose betrayal deeply affected her.
• Pierfrancesco Favino as Ferruccio Mezzadri: Callas’s devoted butler in Paris, a figure who witnessed her final, private struggles.
• Alba Rohrwacher as Bruna Lupoli: A close associate or friend.
• Kodi Smit-McPhee in an undisclosed, but significant, supporting role.

The film’s intimate setting—mostly confined to her Paris apartment—acts as a stage for Callas's internal drama, where her memories of Onassis and her operatic triumphs are played out in a series of flashbacks. The portrayal of her relationship with Onassis is central to the film's emotional core, highlighting the devastating impact of his 1968 marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy.

Is Angelina Jolie Really Singing? Addressing the Voice of 'La Divina'

One of the most frequently asked questions about the film is whether Angelina Jolie performs the complex operatic pieces herself. The answer is a mix of dedication and respectful historical accuracy. Jolie undertook extensive singing lessons to fully inhabit the role and understand the physical demands of a soprano's life. Director Larraín, however, confirmed that the film utilizes the original, glorious recordings of Maria Callas herself.

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This decision is both practical and artistic. Callas’s voice—renowned for its unique timbre, wide range, and dramatic flair—is virtually inimitable. Using her original recordings ensures that the film remains a true homage to her musical legacy. Jolie's training allowed her to master the physical performance, the breathing, and the emotional delivery, making her lip-syncing and stage presence utterly believable. This fusion of Jolie's acting prowess with Callas's actual voice creates a powerful, authentic experience for the viewer, bridging the gap between the actress and the legendary diva.

Critical Reception and The Film's Intimate Focus

Following its festival run, *Maria* has garnered significant critical attention. Reviews have consistently praised the film’s unique, melancholic atmosphere and Larraín's signature focus on the psychological state of his protagonist. Critics have highlighted that the film is less about the grand spectacle of opera and more about the quiet, devastating moments of a woman reflecting on a life lived fiercely but ending in solitude.

The film’s visual style—often employing a desaturated, 1970s aesthetic—underscores the psychological drama. It is a meditation on identity, asking what remains when the stage lights dim and the applause fades. The narrative explores themes of loss, artistic sacrifice, and the relentless pressure of being a global icon. It is a poignant exploration of the cost of genius.

For fans of Callas, the film offers a rare glimpse into the private world of "La Divina." For cinema enthusiasts, it is a masterclass in performance and direction, cementing Pablo Larraín’s reputation as the foremost chronicler of female icons. The film's theatrical release in select regions and its imminent streaming debut on Netflix on December 11th ensures that this powerful portrait of a complex woman will reach a global audience, sparking renewed interest in the timeless genius of Maria Callas.