Entertainment Movies Drama Movies Angelina Jolie Finds Her Voice Again as Opera Singer Maria Callas in Emotional New Maria Trailer Pablo Larraín's latest biopic is in select theaters Nov. 27, then on Netflix Dec. 11 By Charna Flam Charna Flam Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 24, 2024 11:29AM EDT Comments Angelina Jolie inhabits the larger-than-life persona of Maria Callas in an emotional new trailer for Maria. Netflix debuted the new preview on Thursday, Oct. 24, showing Jolie's transformation into Callas. The Oscar winner, 49, stars as the late opera singer in director Pablo Larraín's latest biopic. Larraín notably focused his two previous films on 20th-century titans, Natalie Portman as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie (2016) and Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in Spencer (2021). Larraín's latest "follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye," according to a synopsis. Maria follows the vocalist "in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life." The renowned soprano's vocal range famously spanned three octaves, which made her an international star. She died in Paris in 1977 of a heart attack at age 53. Angelina Jolie Recalls Being 'Shaky' Her 'First Time Singing' for Maria. How Her Sons Helped Her Nerves "Maria" movie poster. Netflix Jolie previously shared during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival that she was nervous about singing in the role. (The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August.) "I was terribly nervous; I spent almost seven months training," Jolie said at the August film festival. "My first time singing, I remember being so nervous. My sons were there and they helped to block the door [so] that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky." "And [Larraín], in his decency, started me in a small room and ended me in La Scala," she added. "So he gave me time to grow. I was frightened to live up to [Callas]." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Additionally, at the Sept. 2 screening at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, she raved about Larraín. “I knew that as long as I gave my best, Pablo would be okay with it and somehow make it work. I knew I needed to do my best to try to help solve the puzzle, but I knew that he was a kind person and he was supportive and that helped.” Jolie, whose vocals are blended in the movie with real recordings of Callas' singing, also revealed that despite the "seven months of opera classes, great teachers and Italian classes," she was "so nervous." Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in "Maria.". Pablo Larrain Angelina Jolie Earns Standing Ovation at Telluride for Maria, Says She Was 'Out of My Mind' with Nerves When She Sang Maria also stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino and Valeria Golino. Peaky Blinders creator and Spencer screenwriter Steven Knight wrote the script for Maria prior to 2023's Hollywood WGA strike, allowing for the movie to begin filming soon after that strike ended in September. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Maria is in select theaters Nov. 27, then on Netflix Dec. 11. Close