How Angelina Jolie Prepared to Play Maria Callas

Is Angelina Jolie about to sing her away to another Oscar? Welcome to MsMojo and today we’re breaking down the intense emotional and artistic processes that Angelina Jolie engaged in to play legendary opera singer Maria Callas in director Pablo Larraín’s 2024 biopic “Maria.” Our countdown includes Maria Calla's early life and career, Pablo Larraín’s “Iconic 20th Century Women” trilogy, Jolie learns to sing, and more! Are YOU looking forward to Pablo Larraín’s “Maria”? Let us know in the comments!
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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.
#AngelinaJolie #MariaCallas #Maria #Celebrity #Performance

[@mariapadilla8061]

As an avid opera lover for many decades,.I applaud Angelina for this role. No one will ever replace Maria Callas, but how wonderful it is for this film to be done, and how wonderful that Angelina is playing her. Brava!

[@cylves71ca]

I can't wait. I loved Maria Callas' amazing voice

[@herdzskyj5477]

I got chills when I saw the trailer because Angelina sounds so much like Maria when she talk.

[@Passion4Fashion2023]

100% agree. I felt the same way.

[@loboestepario2424]

You have never heard Callas talking then: Jolie's speaking voice is way too high-pitched and soft. Callas' voice was quite deep and somehow nasal. I recommend you, if you haven't seen it, "The Callas Conversations", with Lord Harewood.

[@Marshmellow25825]

@@loboestepario2424 Sounds a lot like Nanny McPhee actress' voice.

[@kbhprinsesse]

She doesn't. At all.

[@artdanks4846]

So anxious to see the movie! I have been a huge fan of Maria Callas for over 50 years! She's my all time favorite singer. Im anxious to see how stunning Angie's performance will be!

[@LaPrimadonna164]

Yo también ansío ver esta película. Yo escucho a la Callas desde que tengo 6 años. Saludos cordiales ❤❤

[@poshdelux]

Over 50 years holy smokes how old are you?

[@artdanks4846]

@poshdelux 69 yrs old

[@DanielAlexis17]

My respect goes to Angelina. It’s not for box office, money, whatsoever. It’s the honor of using her acting talent to relive the greatest Opera singer of all time, the art incarnate, Maria Callas.

[@kbhprinsesse]

If they wanted to honour Callas, they should have used an actress of the same ethnicity, not have taken so much liberty with what she and her life ACTUALLY was like, and have focused on her great art instead of wallowing in the usual "OMG, Onassis broke her heart and she lost her voice, OMG"-tripe.

[@yamil.343]

All the hate towards Angelina like she did something personal to you all..jeez! I applaud her for undertaking what is surely a big challenge for her to portray such an iconic woman. I’m sure she gave it her all like she does with all the roles she’s played. Why not watch the movie then give an opinion.

[@mca_a1131]

Haters are LOSERS!

[@angeladibble]

Yes, I'm really looking forward to this one. It must be special for Angelina to choose to come back to after a long break from the movies.

[@rosieraven1603]

All those Angelina haters can just suck it and FO! These haters will always find fault regardless of what Angelina does or acts in any movie.

[@kelleydeclue4100]

​@@rosieraven1603Amen sister amen!😂😂😂😂😂

[@eachmorningbornagain476]

Angelina Jolie is not disliked for her acting but for her personality. While she is magnificent as an actress, she is also a narcissistic psychopath. Just like Tom Cruise.

[@graziasher6904]

Actually I think she might actually, pull it off. Impersonating, and delivering La Divina, is an insurmountable job. Callas, was and is today, the greatest soprano that ever lived. She was the first showing deep, felt emotions , for every word and sound she delivered. With face, body , being totally as important , not involved. Before they used to sing, as wooden figures, no emotions whatsoever. The sound was important more than anything. Her Casta Diva , still give me chills.

[@AuntieFa]

I cannot WAIT to see this movie.

[@evas9101]

Can wait to see her film ❤❤❤

[@chariklaki7627]

Maria Callas, a most talented, intelligent, dignified and beautiful women, a real Greek goddess who lived amongst us.

[@rockym5505]

Angelina is the perfect Maria Callas. Can't wait to see the movie.

[@joanngrgr1]

Not even close.Sorry

[@kbhprinsesse]

😂😂😂

[@sharronhagen8442]

I saw the movie today. Angelina was remarkable particularly her singing. There were many aspects to this movie taking you through Maria’s early trauma, relationships, and singing. The scenes and French buildings were striking. A memorable movie.

[@kiaraeijo]

I’m curious to see how Pablo Larraín and Angelina Jolie will pay tribute to La Divina especially because 2023 would’ve been her 100th birthday. I’ve been listening to Maria Callas’ recordings for the last ten years and I’m always in awe of particularly her Verdi recordings and Puccini (especially her recording of Madama Butterfly). Norma is another recording I love from her!

[@snowbird1485]

Looks like a good movie .. the soundtrack must be amazing

[@Specialstar111]

I have always loved Maria Callas ❤❤❤

[@P.C.W.321]

I like Angelina as an actress. I am looking forward to seeing this movie. I admire Angelina for tackling such a role.

[@yramaroman9984]

i am waiting for the great performance!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Opera

[@mcbridetd1]

Cannot wait to see this. Love Maria Callas and admire Angeline Jolie. Want to see what she does with the role. Great Director too. Love both JACKIE and SPENCER.

[@williamfahey6066]

Yes I can't wait to see it! I was so happy to find out that it is going to be shown in Theaters. At first I thought it was going to be a TV Movie. I hope it will be out no later than The Holidays, ThanksGiving Christmas. I am looking forward to it. Jeff❤

[@Luzanne.]

Looking forward to it!

[@davethebrave.]

I love how Angelina feels like she's being relegated to Oscar Buzz

[@sunblue22]

Relegated? Girl… do us all a favor and stop speaking. I saw the other comments you made and you start every sentence with “I”. Grow up. No one cares what you want, think, feel, or say. Especially when you use the English language the way you do. If anyone is relegated, it’s anyone having to read what you type. Thats all.

[@kelleydeclue4100]

I hope she wins that Oscar!

[@jwwelder07]

I will assumed the producer, director and writers already done research of whom could possibly play Callas, Jolie has something that no one can see other than them. Ofcourse there would be some glitches on Jolie's performance on this movie beside there is only one who can perfectly act as Maria Callas and that is Maria Callas itself. Stop the bashing and just enjoy the movie. Peace to all!

[@ColleenDupont]

Pure talent, grace and beauty, and even though not truly resembling Maria Callas she incarnates her, body and soul, a quite sublime portrayal. Brava Angelina as we opera fanatics would say.

[@marianavarro3111]

Can't wait to see it the topic alone is interesting😊❤👍👍

[@mainenglee-xiong3344]

I can’t wait to see this movie.

[@marryannebuttigieg6760]

I can’t wait to see it ❤

[@perryjones7771]

Second Oscar incoming. It’s already being called her career best performance I can’t wait to watch it. I’ve always said that she could win a second Oscar if she was to ever make a more serious return to acting.

[@fabriziogarzi9892]

Il prossimo flop sulla Callas.

[@fabriziogarzi9892]

@@Cata.Ferraz il film su Bernstein era orribile. Povero Lenny.

[@Ursaminor31]

Thought that was the tourist

[@mischievousamoeba]

Angelina did a fantastic job.

[@CRS327]

Honestly, I saw the movie and Angelina was ok...Just ok. Her beauty saves her acting. I saw Angelina all the time...Was hard to focus on the character. So no she wasn't good enough for that part. She's just everything that Hollywood wants these days so she's getting a lot of attention...She's beautiful, she's a movie star and this is her first relevant role in a years...and we all know how much they like to support the cinderella fairy tale story.

[@Mel-xk9go]

Hating Angelina is a big red flag, she’s so lovely and iconic ❤❤

[@kbhprinsesse]

Pointing out that the movie is bad and that Jolie wasn't suited for the role isn't hAtInG, waaaah! 🙄

[@jorgeguzman9955]

Yes iam looking foward to it

[@titalinda8515]

Yessss, looking forward for this wonderful movie by Pablo Larrain

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

Lara Croft > Evelyn Salt > Maleficent > Thena (hunter > agent > devil > hero)

[@Kayjee17]

And now Diva!

[@londonsage8696]

I’m looking forward to it

[@stshack]

Just saw it beautiful

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy thursday night, Emily, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well

[@shelbykim69]

Looking forward to seeing this one! Love Angelina Jolie.

[@castoputa]

If you want to know about Callas, read Sacred Monster and listen to her whilst doing so.

[@ronh5757]

I think the title card at 9:57 is supposed to be Casta Diva, not Casa Diva.

[@susanheklicht]

Also at 1:57

[@kiaraeijo]

Yes it was supposed to be Casta Diva

[@1968KWT]

RIP Maria Callas (died #otd in 1977) 🌺🌺🌺

[@ladymarmalade7]

The TURKISH actor Haluk Bilginer playing the Greek Onasis is amazing!!!

[@mrscch1057]

Besides her beautiful opera voice that she was blessed with. I find her to be extremely intellectually fascinating. Her words come through like a melody. Very talented. I enjoyed the new movie about her.

[@simplybysuzie]

I feel her feelings in real life. It’s so sad and so good. Tragic.

[@catherinelatoga370]

And the Oscar goes to Angelina Jolie.Brilliant Actress.Amazing Woman.The trailer that she interact with his Butler is an Oscar Worthy already."Maria" is on my watch list.

[@mariakambanisvard602]

Om någon är värdig att spela Maria Callas Då är definitivt 💯 Angelina Jolie

[@charliedameliodunkinfanpag6462]

😂no shit😂

[@Verbsdescribeus]

Just watched Maria at the cinema yesterday and I maintain my opinion: it is a blasphemy to cast a non-singing actresses to play the greatest opera singer ever. Also, the biopic denatures facts like the Greek roots of Callas, her 4 idioms native & domestic abuse by Onassis & many more...

[@Bluestar-nn2uh]

Can you do top operas of all time?

[@brookelowry6680]

No offense to AJ but it's hard to believe that someone with organ failure and a death prognosis is walking everywhere in heels. That just doesn't happen.

[@carolyndavid1959]

Very versatile great actor! She owned the challenges and uncomfortable zones! Deserving a good reward !

[@AngelicaMarquez-s9m]

Angelina 💯

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Jolie's performance will win an Oscar as it is very impressive; however, she only did 5% of the singing and some in the media are making it seem like she did 100%. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

[@searscat1]

You posit an excellent point, GN. Marion Cottilard explained how her voice was enmeshed with the much stronger voice of Edith Pilaf in the film, ''La Vie en Rose.'' Cotillard explained the process, while on the Gragam Norton show, where Pilaf was given the credit for a beautiful end product, which was a beautiful voice. Cotillard had immersed herself in Pilaf's music so that the felt emotion added to her performance. Cotillard gave tremendous kudos to Pilaf for enriching and elevating the voice that had been generatrd. I don's pick up that much humility from Jolie. Thanks for adding that important point! Merci beaucoup!

[@gwynnielsen5081]

@@searscat1 True. Jolie is acting as though she did all of the singing. Still, even if she did do 5%, I am guessing that it was difficult. I am more of a jazz singer myself although my original music (on KZbin) tends to be folkish. I took three months of operatic voice lessons but dropped out because my teacher was such a stickler for perfection. I told him I wasn't aiming to perform at the Met. I am glad I took the lessons, though, because they strengthened my voice. Thanks for your lengthy reply.

[@pearlglass]

I think the best actress for playing a very look a like Maria Callas is Sabrina Impacciatore❤

[@donnasherwood283]

she always had defects in her upper register. I thought it was my imagination until after her death one of the international music critics made the observation very respectful she knew and gave up the stage

[@BellaFirenze]

I broke out in a rash when I saw the face of Elsa Maxwell. John Ardoin's name was mispronounced. Callas finally got rid of her. I believe Angelina Jolie has perfectly captured the essence of La Divina. Brava!

[@Sheerlocks0]

I adore AJ

[@ThatBearHasMoxie]

MARIA the movie is magnificent!!! Angelina Jolie is Oscar worthy.

[@juanapadilla954]

I love all her movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 she is beautiful and best one also she is strong lady ❤❤❤❤❤

[@anapenteado7227]

As an opera lover and a big fan of Maria Callas, I am still trying to digest this biopic. Callas was a polyglot; perhaps they showcased how she memorised operas, if not then ... something is missing. That is a risky project for someone who is not an opera singer. I mean, this lady is unbeatable today. And this Mojo is a bit poor in review of the life of Maria Callas. Netflix does a better job, I am afraid.

[@hjmayt]

No disrespect to AJ, but I don’t see how 6 months of opera singing training can prepare any actress for such a role.

[@anuka3523]

It was dubbed i believe but th3 lips and the expression must synch.that is what she studied.specially the songs are in foreign

[@anuka3523]

Singing soprano is difficult years of training.and they know that.its the life story not the concert they are showing here.

[@HayleyPhoebe]

Cos they can enhance the audio in post but probably she trained how to hold herself and look like she’s singing opera

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

Yes, opera singers today with years of training are not in the league of opera singers from the golden era.

[@dianax6671]

She ain’t doing it to be a singer hahahahahahaha wth

[@annalisette5897]

Maria's life cannot be defined by a love affair. The first 40 or so years of her life were devoted to opera which is very hard and continuous work. There is always a lot of discussion about how she "lost her voice". Many claim it happened due to weight loss, that the "fat Maria" sang better. IMO, Maria gave all she had for decades and fortunately there are many recordings. She provided the drama of the parts as well as the voice. I think some of the dramatic presentations were harmful for her voice overall. Maria is said to be the greatest bel canto soprano because of her voice and ability to act the parts. Onassis gave her the opportunity to relax and play, something she had never experienced. Back in those days, it was a major scandal that both parties were married and subsequently divorced. That the whole matter descended into Greek tragedy was to be expected. In the end it seems Maria and Onassis continued their affair and Jackie spent a lot of time away. Onassis may have gotten the last laugh as his name is on the Kennedy grave marker in Arlington cemetery. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

[@fabriziogarzi9892]

Ad Arlington sicuramente...ma la Callas sara' ricordata in eterno anche senza marmi...

[@Dreddusa]

The Empress of Opera.

[@mcbridetd1]

you did not say -- does Angelina do the singing in the movie?

[@beatajenei8043]

Hello someone can you tell me the title of the Jacki Kennedy movie they mentioned here? Thank you

[@RandomDustBunny]

It’s called ‘Jackie’

[@Ingenuity009]

She should have borrowed Hemsworths nose from Furiosa.

[@janefaceinthewind6260]

They could at least have given her a different nose!! Looks nothing like her. Callas Greek profile was important and legendary.

[@johnivory3245]

You have to go back to when Nicole Kidman portrayed Virginia Woolf. Some people thought the nose was spot on Virginia. Others were complaining that they should have just hired an actress that looked more like Woolf. Can’t please everyone. Angelina is super talented, I’m sure she will hit it out of the park.

[@aleksandra_kosztyla]

They did. She is having a prosthetic nose in this film. You can notice it in the trailer if you focus on it

[@thefestivaloffun3121]

🎥 Great movie. Saw it at a screening and Q&A, Angelina was very nice. The video is on my channel 🎥

[@inr63]

The wording at the end was so irksome- “Is Angelina Jolie’s career ready for a resurgence”? As if she’s ever been irrelevant or had a lull in her career. She’s timeless and perpetually iconic.

[@yeslets6049]

Can’t see this casting going well.

[@audreykennedy90]

Angelina Jolie? Is she good enough?? Maria Callas deserves someone worthy

[@alexeios]

and you are worthy of what exactly? a 💩 opinion on a KZbin video 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@exboxx20]

And do you know someone who can? If there is, is she willing to do the job for the hollyweird?

[@ShaneTallon88]

Casta diva “ Was spelled wrong in this flick It said casa

[@acastrohowell]

Is she singing in the movie no way!!😂

[@jennifertapia3954]

No

[@drebatista]

You’re telling me that after 6 months of singing lessons she started to sing like Maria Callas????!

[@charliedameliodunkinfanpag6462]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elowyn9664]

She was lip syncing She said in an interview she did.

[@drebatista]

@@elowyn9664 NoOOOOOOO realy????? qhat are the odds????

[@리얼리-v7o]

이영화 빨리보고싶어요 졸리를 보고싶어요

[@GB-kl6jz]

no....she's not Callas

[@AuntieFa]

No one is. This is a movie of someone portraying her as best they can.

[@jwwelder07]

Ocourse she's not! Callas died! It's a movie!😂

[@jwwelder07]

Ocourse she's not! Callas died! It's a movie!😂

[@fabriziogarzi9892]

No proprio.

[@exboxx20]

No sht sherlock

[@MerizBarney-ry1um]

Wow maybe Angie slim down for this film.

[@loboestepario2424]

I hope for the best for Angelina Jolie as an actress and I hope this role leads to a career renaissance. I have yet to see the movie, and I really hope to like it, but I see nothing from the several trailers about Callas in Jolie's performance : there is enough evidence on how, at least from 1975 onwards, that Callas had gained weight, and was not anymore the haughty version Jolie's portraying, during her last year alive. There is nothing about Callas' dark and particular speaking voice, nor the magnetism. So far it looks like Angelina Jolie playing a random skinny lady from the 1970s.

[@kimichan5]

I wonder why they picked Jolie and not someone who looks more Greek

[@benu_bird]

She doesn't sound like Callas. Everything is about how she prepared. How about how she performed? They show the same scene over and over again. How bad is the singing then? It sounds like pure hubris to study for a few months to pass yourself off as one of the most famous sopranos of all time (as a non singer to begin with). She should have just lip synched like Cottilard as Piaf in La Vie en Rose. That was an excellent performance-I don't see that here. For 20+euro per ticket, I'll pass.

[@castoputa]

Absolutely this 🙌

[@johnivory3245]

So you only see the same scene over and over again and can judge an entire performance?!? Got it.

[@ManfredHebelt]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ hello my love ♥️🤎💝💝🩶🧡🧡🩶🧡🧡🩶🧡🧡🩶

[@jst7593]

Angelina was far away from real Maria Callas..in this movie …

[@emmmoo8631]

ah the weight loss...........thats why they picked jolie! BAM

[@robin-kq7un]

Angelina Jolie playing Maria Callas is like me trying to play Marilyn Monroe.

[@cocoaorange1]

She might have avoided sweets and fatty food, not to mention exercised. It can be done.

[@Markotrajkovski]

Don’t believe that weight loss was the reason of her loosing the voice.

[@paulcampbell7134]

Don't get it ,if you want to listen maria callas, listen to her not someone trying to portray her

[@MsNatiBug]

This isn’t an album. It’s a film. They make films about world famous icons sometimes. And those icons are no longer around. Or even if they are around a different younger actor will play them in their younger years.

[@thejingjingan]

Stop defaming Maria Callas, and blaming her weightloss for losing her voice. Same old silly rumors.

[@ShaggyDJ73]

Bad feeling. Hope her security is high.

[@andreechenier1958]

is it only me but would not Lady Gaga made a great Maria Callas?

[@angelinamoody989]

Huh?

[@HenkBartl]

If that doesn’t land her an Oscar I dunno

[@DruzenjeSplit-nn2um]

All I see is Angelina....

[@DianaEngland]

The greatest challenge angelina jolie play the pioneer icon soprano maria callas the only thinks she see I respect opera an I love her I make her life but Iwas playback opere imitating her voice by playback opera

[@EmmySwimmy-j2e]

I kind of wish that they would have cast someone who looked more like Callas, (I am sure that Angelina Jolie will do a good job portraying her mannerisms and voice) but I do not think that she looks like Maria Callas...also who knows what the singing will sound like🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Ashbrash1998]

I think she's pretty close bit I can't think of anybody who looks close enough.

[@MabelYolanda-c9i]

The movie is so bad….her accent is the worse, not even close to the original. The locations are completely non-sense, most likely because they didn’t have historians behind. She never lived at Place Vendome, but we see her all the time looking at the Column of Napoleon, which, when she was alive, it was under construction. Besides, it was shot in the 3rd floor of Place Vendome 12, at the Chumet museum, but she never lived there. Nodovy lives on Place Vendome. Also, when the limo wanders around the column, that’s also wrong, because back then, when Maria was alive, there was no cable stone on the floor, that was added just 20 years ago. The car goes from always from the right of the column to the left, which is also impossible. Then, they make her walk through the palais royale just to appear at the Alexander bridge. I mean, there’s like 30 blocks of distance between one place and the other. In short, a complete disaster. And don’t get me started on to talk about wardrobe, or props. Every single item is wrong. But regarding locations I think the responsibility is from the director, because everything could’ve been fixed in post. You can easily change the floor of the streets, remove the column, etc, but the lack of knowledge from the director in terms on how to use CGI and knowing Paris ended up in the perfect combination to make a disaster. The only silver lining is that he’s not alone. All directors fail big time recreating history. Typos and mistakes by iOS 18.3 with AI.

[@l.k.1111]

Angelina needs an oscar for this. 🎉🎉🎉

[@kbhprinsesse]

The film is awful. But all the Callas- and Jolie-fetichists will love it.

[@CorinneL1601]

Lady Gaga would have been much better.

[@nelsonmakay2522]

NO

[@jennifertapia3954]

Yes to lady gaga

[@anarosario2879]

Angelina Jolie? Noo way…

[@dawnadriennetaylor970]

As Callas was a phenomenal character actress who lived and embodied every role she played, as Judy Dench also pointed out, Jolie can't hope, in her wildest dreams, to depict the greatest actress and soprano who trained from childhood. Callas was empathic not arrogant. Jolie doesn't possess the elegance, grace or dignity and hasn't even attempted Callas' walk, speaking voice tone or accent because she can't. Learning to sing, let alone sing opera, is not possible in 6 months. No trained opera singer, even of the time when standards were high, could surpass La Divina. What they've done to part of the sound track has produced a painful cacophony that is certainly not opera. The film: "Maria by Callas" is a biopic starring Maria Callas, not this cheap profiteering indulgence which is exactly the sort of trash that receives an Oscar. Sadly, this is all most movie watchers will ever know about the great Maria Callas and it the facts are inaccurate. I'll be giving this sensationalised "bio" a very wide berth!

[@elowyn9664]

They found this skinny ghaul to portray La Divina Callas. What a disgrace!

[@Pjkoko]

Callas was ok but over rated. Top notes white and noisy. She gains attention through some kind of mystique rather than through pure and balanced registration. She was not the Bible of opera. Emmy Destinn was much better and had pure registration