Netflix Acquires Angelina Jolie’s ‘Maria’ From Director Pablo Larraín for US Distribution
Streaming giant Netflix has secured the domestic rights to the highly anticipated biopic “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, the film is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival on August 29.
“Maria” offers a captivating exploration of Callas’s tumultuous life, delving into her complex relationships, personal struggles, and unwavering dedication to her craft. The film is based on true accounts and takes place during Callas’s final days in 1970s Paris.
Joining Jolie in the ensemble cast are Academy Award nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Valeria Golino. The film’s producers include Juan de Dios Larraín, Lorenzo Mieli, and Jonas Dornbach, with production companies The Apartment (a Fremantle Company), Fabula, Komplizen, and Fremantle.
Director Pablo Larraín expressed his excitement about partnering with Netflix for this project, stating, “I’m excited to partner again with the Netflix team who care so passionately about movies. This film is my most personal work yet. It is a creative imagining and psychological portrait of Maria Callas who, after dedicating her life to performing for audiences around the world, decides finally to find her own voice, her own identity, and sing for herself. I’m deeply honored to tell this story and share it with audiences worldwide like Maria did with her life.”
Dan Lin, Netflix Chairman of Film, added, “I’m excited that we are continuing to work with Pablo and Fabula – this is our seventh project with them, most recently with ‘El Conde’ and they are producing the upcoming ‘In Her Place.’ Pablo continues a remarkable streak of exploring iconic women through film, this time with the incredible Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas.”
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO & CEO Continental Europe, Fremantle, expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s acquisition by Netflix, stating, “We are delighted that Pablo Larraín’s extraordinary piece of filmmaking, Maria, with its incredible performance by Angelina Jolie, has found its US home at Netflix. I know they will give it the best possible support and we are grateful to Glen and his FilmNation team for spearheading the sale.”
“Maria” promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that delves into the complexities of Callas’s life and career. With Angelina Jolie’s powerful performance and Pablo Larraín’s masterful direction, the film is poised to captivate audiences worldwide.
