Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, is on Netflix Dec. 11
Angelina Jolie is stepping into the spotlight.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria stars the Oscar winner as late opera singer Maria Callas. In the first teaser trailer, which debuted Thursday, Sept. 26, Jolie, 49, cries, rehearses and transforms into the iconic performer.
The film, according to a synopsis, follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. Maria reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life.
Larraín previously made two starry biopics: 2016s Jackie and 2021s Spencer featured Oscar-nominated performances from Natalie Portman as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight wrote the script for Maria prior to 2023s Hollywood WGA strike, allowing for the movie to begin filming soon after that strike ended in September. Knight previously wrote Spencer.
The film, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August, also stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino and Valeria Golino.
During a press conference at Venice, Jolie was asked how she feels about awards buzz for her performance, saying the bar for her on whether she did good enough is more the reaction from fans of Callas and those who love opera.
My fear would be to disappoint them, she said. So, of course, all other things, in my own business, if theres a response to the work, Im very grateful.
