Angelina Jolie is getting in the mood for her next role.
The first glimpses of Maria, the upcoming biopic that features the Oscar winner, 48, as opera star Maria Callas, were revealed Monday.
Based on true accounts about Callas, Maria will tell the “tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris,” according to a press release.
Two new photos show Jolie in character as the American-born Greek opera diva. In one, she wears large, round spectacles; in the other, a wide-brimmed lace hat.
Maria, written by Steven Knight prior to Hollywood’s WGA strike and granted a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, is the latest biographical film from director Pablo Larraín.
His previous films Spencer and Jackie featured Oscar-nominated performances from Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana and Natalie Portman as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, respectively. His most recent film, El Conde, premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Larraín said in a statement, “I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria, which I hope will bring Maria Callas’s remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation.”
“I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge,” said Jolie in a previous statement.
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Callas had a vocal range spanning three octaves, which made her an international opera star. She died in Paris in 1977 of a heart attack, according to The Guardian.
Shooting for Maria will take place over eight weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan. It will feature original garments worn by Callas, according to a press release.
The film marks Jolie’s return to the big screen after starring in 2021’s Eternals.
At that film’s premiere, she told PEOPLE her six kids were excited to see her Marvel debut. “What’s really moving to me is that they want to see me strong, and so it’s less to see me in a film, but they’re just happy I will be strong and having fun,” the actress said.
In an interview with Vogue last month, Jolie said she’s “in transition as a person,” adding, “I feel a bit down these days. I don’t feel like I’ve been myself for a decade.”
She revealed that seven years ago she intentionally began taking fewer movie roles, “only taking jobs that didn’t require long shoots.”