Angelina Jolie ‘terrified’ of Maria role
Angelina Jolie has shared that she was “terrified” to take on the role of Maria Callas in the upcoming movie, ‘Maria’. The 49-year-old actress plays the iconic opera singer in Pablo Larrain’s film and expressed her concerns about stepping into such a significant role. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie admitted her initial fears, stating, “I was terrified. Pablo was very clear that if I tried my best, he would support my process and help me. He helped by scheduling the most intimate moments first and high pressure toward the end. … He treated me like a singer, and it meant the world that he believed I could do it.”
Director Pablo Larrain also shared his confidence in Jolie’s ability to do justice to the portrayal of Maria Callas. Reflecting on his decision to cast Jolie, Larrain said, “I met Angelina a couple of times before this process, discussing other projects that never came together, and I felt that she was someone that was a worker, someone that could really have the discipline to do something like this.” He further added, “When I invited her to do this, I didn’t know that she was entirely sure on how tough this was going to be for her. She is someone that is very determined, so when the preparation for the role started, I think she saw – and somehow I did, too – the right path to get there and that the mountain was a huge one to climb … and she just went for it.”
Regarding the daunting challenge of delving into the opera world through the lens of Maria Callas, Larrain acknowledged, “It was quite scary in the beginning because there are so few movies about opera and opera singers and the opera world. So that was kind of scary. But we took the chance.” He praised Jolie’s work ethic and dedication throughout the filming process, highlighting her willingness to engage in nightly classes to hone her performance.
Throughout the filming of ‘Maria’, Jolie received continuous support and guidance from Larrain and his team, emphasising the director’s commitment to shaping poignant moments within the narrative. Jolie commended Larrain for his empathetic approach and genuine interest in the subject matter, underscoring his effectiveness as a director for such intricate material.
As the anticipation builds for the release of ‘Maria’, fans and critics alike are eager to witness Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of the legendary Maria Callas on the big screen. With both Jolie and Larrain expressing their mutual respect and admiration for the project, audiences can expect a compelling and immersive cinematic experience that delves into the world of opera and the iconic figure of Maria Callas.