Angelina Jolie will play iconic opera singer Maria Callas who romanced Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis: 'I will give all I can to meet the challenge'

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Published on Saturday, 22 October 2022 11:00

Written by Daily mail

          Angelina Jolie has landed the role of a lifetime with the new movie Maria.On Friday it was announced that the Oscar-winning actress will play iconic opera singer Maria Callas.The artist was known for her incredible range on stage as well as her turbulent love life that included a romance with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who went on to wed Jackie Kennedy. 'I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy,' said Jolie in a statement. 'I will give all I can to meet the challenge.' The Tomb Raider star also mentioned the film's director, Pablo Larraín, whom she said she 'long admired.'The mother of six added, 'To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria's story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream.' Jolie has played famous people before: In 1998 she starred as tragic supermodel Gia Carangi in Gia and  in 2007 she starred as Mariana pearl in the film A Mighty Heart.The director, who is best known for the bio pictures Jackie (about Jackie Kennedy, played by Natalie Portman) and Spencer (about Princess Diana, played by Kristen Stewart), also made a comment.Portman and Stewart both landed Oscar nominations for their work in those films, so perhaps the same could happen for Jolie as Callas. 'Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream,' Larraín said.'To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift.'  Callas lived from 1923 until 1977. She was born in American of Greek heritage and then trained in Greece as well as Italy.She was not just known for her incredible voice, which helped make her one of the top opera singers of the 20th century, but also for her striking beauty which put a spotlight on her many romances.Callas was also known for her fierce rivalry with Italian opera singer Renata Tebaldi.The film will cover her life story and finish with her sad death in Paris after suffering from vision problems that left her almost blind. Starring in a movie about Callas was a passion project for Faye Dunaway who even wanted to use her own money for the film, but it never came off the ground.In 2014, Meryl Streep was reportedly set to play Callas in Master Class with Mike Nichols as her director but the project did not come to be. Earlier this year Italian siren Monica Bellucci starred in a play about Callas.

 source : Daily mail