Netflix snares U.S. rights to Pablo Larrain biopic ‘Maria’ starring Angelina Jolie

Netflix has snared the U.S. distribution rights to “Maria,” the Pablo Larrain-directed biopic of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas starring Oscar winner Angelina Jolie in the title role, on the eve of the film’s world premiere Thursday at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.

The Chilean-born Larrain is perhaps best known in America for directing the historical bios “Jackie” (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) in 2016 and “Spencer” (Princess Diana) in 2021. It’s the second film he’s directed that’s gone to Netflix, the first being last year’s “El Conde,” which received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography.

“Maria” is described as “a creative reimagining and a psychological portrait of Maria Callas.” The film takes place “in the ’70s near the end of Callas’ life (she died in 1977 at 54). The description continues, “It’s a story about a woman that lived from the ’20s to the ’70s – a woman who burned her voice, her life, by doing what she loved: her work.” Academy Award nominee Steven Knight (“Spencer,” “Peaky Blinders”) penned the screenplay. It’s produced by Juan de Rios Larrain, Lorenzo Mieli and Jonas Dornbach.

Besides Jolie, the cast for “Maria” includes Academy Award nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino and Valeria Golino.

After its Venice premiere tomorrow, “Maria” will screen at the New York Film Festival, which runs from September 27 to October 14.SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions