Angelina Jolie has described her role as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's upcoming biopic *Maria* as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience. In interviews, Jolie revealed that the role was particularly challenging, requiring her to spend seven months learning and performing six operatic arias associated with the legendary soprano. She reflected on how portraying Callas allowed her to connect with the emotional and professional struggles the singer faced during her life, which tragically ended in 1977 when Callas died of a heart attack in Paris.
Jolie also spoke about her desire to work with Larraín, known for his biopics like *Jackie*, and how the film's demands, both in terms of musical preparation and character depth, made it a transformative project for her. She called the experience emotionally healing, particularly as she immersed herself in Callas' world. Jolie emphasized how Callas' teachings on discipline in performance deeply influenced her preparation.
