Angelina Jolie Was 'Terrified Again as an Artist' While MakingMaria: 'I Had a Safe Place to Fail'

Mar. 15, 2025

Angelina Jolie on Oct. 26, 2024.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Angelina Jolieconfronted her fears in makingMaria.

Jolie, 49, plays famed 20th century opera singerMaria Callasin the new biopic. The actress said during a Q&A following the film’s premiere at AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, that she “got to be terrified again as an artist," while shooting the movie.

“Which is such a gift, because you get scared and have to do something you’re not sure you can do, and surprise yourself,” Jolie said, adding later in the conversation, “I knew I had a safe place to fail, so I was allowed to be free.”

Angelina Jolie on Oct. 26, 2024.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

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The new movie “follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye,” according to an official synopsis.Mariais a portrait of the vocalist “in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life.”

While speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the Oct. 26 screening, Jolie said that she shares a “certain loneliness” with Callas that she believes stems from her work ethic.

Angelina Jolie and Maria Callas.ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty; Nick Machalaba/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty; Nick Machalaba/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

“I don’t want to speak too much about it because it’s too personal, but there’s definitely a loneliness and a work ethic,” the Academy Award-winning actress added. “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.”

Mariareleases in select theaters on Nov. 27 and begins streaming on Netflix Dec. 11.

source: people.com