Angelina Jolie opens up about playing Maria Callas: "I've re-learned the word 'Diva'"

Angelina Jolie has opened up about her experience playing Maria Callas in the upcoming biopic "Maria", revealing that she has re-learned the meaning of the word "diva" and has a new appreciation for the late opera legend's life and legacy.

During a panel at the 81st Venice Film Festival, Jolie, 49, discussed what the word "diva" means to her, considering Callas was known by many as "a great diva". She revealed that she has re-learned the word through her research and preparation for the role, and has a new relationship to it.

"I think it is often other people's perception of a woman that defines, sometimes too much, who she is and who she was, or what she intended," Jolie said. "And I actually think [Maria] was one of the hardest-working people, who didn't hurt anybody."

Jolie also spoke about her personal connection to Callas, revealing that she related to the singer's softer and more emotional side, which was not often seen by the public. She also discussed the challenges of preparing for the role, including spending almost seven months training for the vocal portion of the role.

"My first time singing, I remember being so nervous," Jolie said. "My sons were there and they helped to block the door [so] that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky."

The film, written by Stephen Knight, tells the "tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world's greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris". Netflix has acquired the rights to the film, but a release date has not yet been announced.