Angelina Jolie Opens Up About The “Terrifying” Challenge Of Playing Opera Legend Maria Callas: “I Had A Safe Place To Fail”

Angelina Jolie is taking on one of her most challenging roles yet as she steps into the shoes of legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the new biopic Maria. The 49-year-old actress opened up about the experience during a Q&A at the film’s premiere at AFI Fest in Los Angeles on October 26, sharing how the role pushed her as an artist in ways she hadn’t experienced in years.

Angelina described the process as a “terrifying” yet rewarding journey. “Which is such a gift, because you get scared and have to do something you’re not sure you can do, and surprise yourself. I knew I had a safe place to fail, so I was allowed to be free,” she stated.

Directed by Pablo Larraín, known for his films Jackie and Spencer, Maria dives into the final days of the famous American-Greek soprano. The film portrays Maria in Paris, after a glamorous yet tumultuous life in the public eye, as she grapples with her identity and reflects on her legacy.

For Angelina, taking on the role of Maria required intense vocal training. Singing like one of the most revered opera singers of the 20th century was no small feat. “There’s not a lot of moments in life where you get asked to give everything you’ve got,” Jolie explained, adding,  “And it’s one of the greatest gifts, especially as an artist, for somebody to ask for and want you to give everything you’ve got that you don’t know you’ve got. And I did know how to approach this, and so I listened to her.”

Beyond the technical challenges of singing, Angelina shared that she felt a deep, personal connection with the late opera diva. Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the film’s premiere, the Academy Award-winning actress admitted that she and Maria share a “certain loneliness” that likely stems from their intense work ethic. “I don’t want to speak too much about it because it’s too personal,” Jolie said, “but there’s definitely a loneliness and a work ethic. I may be many things, but I’m a very hard worker, right? I’m an imperfect person, but I work very hard and she does.”Maria, which is set to release in select theaters on November 27 and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 11, gives audiences an intimate look at the life of Maria. As Angelina confronts her fears in portraying such a complex figure, it’s clear she’s poured everything into the role, making it one of her most ambitious projects yet.