Pablo Larrain Reveals Angelina Jolie Was ‘Very Scared’ About Singing In Maria Callas Biopic But She Did It Anyway

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for talent and a deep appreciation for the arts, I am thrilled to see Angelina Jolie take on the challenging role of Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s biographical drama, “Maria.” Having watched Jolie grow from her early days as Lara Croft to her powerful portrayal of Maleficient, it is clear that she has the versatility and dedication required to embody such an iconic figure.


Actress Angelina Jolie returns with a new role, portraying the late opera sensation Maria Callas in Chilean director Pablo Larrain’s upcoming biographical drama film. The movie is set to debut at the Venice Film Festival next month. In a recent interview, Larrain mentioned that Jolie had initially been apprehensive about singing for the role but discussed her preparations leading up to it. Keep reading for more information!

In a recent conversation with Vanity Fair, filmmaker Pablo Larrain discussed his work on the upcoming biopic titled Maria. He also offered insights into Angelina Jolie’s role as opera singer Maria Callas in the movie. The publication highlighted that Jolie spent six months meticulously preparing for her character, focusing particularly on vocal training to accurately portray Callas.

In partnership with renowned sound designer John Warhurst, she meticulously refined her vocal performance for the character, as detailed by Larrain. He shared with the press that this process entailed skillfully merging her voice with samples of Callas, striving for a harmonious blend.

He mentioned, “How can you make a movie about Maria Callas without using her voice? You can’t. You can’t make a movie like this with an actress that is not singing it,” before revealing that it was “scary” for Jolie, but she did it effectively. 

Larrain elaborated on his decision to cast the actress playing Alexander’s role as Maria Callas. He stated that she is ideal for portraying the “most iconic diva of the 20th century.” He explained that he required an actress who could effortlessly convey the spirit of a diva, someone capable of handling the intensity and grandeur demanded by the part, highlighting that “Angelina was just right for the job.”

Later, he detailed her extensive efforts in preparing for the part, emphasizing that it was meticulous, specific, and challenging. He explained she focused on improving her posture, mastered breathing exercises, perfected an accent, and even underwent vocal coaching sessions.

As reported by People magazine, Angelina Jolie has shared her eagerness about being part of an upcoming movie and collaborating with the director. In 2022, she stated, “I regard it as a significant duty to honor Maria’s life and legacy. I am committed to pouring all my efforts into meeting this challenge.” The actress expressed that she has long been captivated by Larraine, and having the opportunity to carry on Maria’s tale under his guidance and with a script penned by Steven Knight is a cherished dream realized for her.

Next month, Maria is set to make her debut at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. This film also stars Valeria Golino, Alba Rohrwacher, Lukas Bilgier, and Pierfrancesco Favino, along with several other notable actors.

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2024-08-26 16:22