So if the Callas movie ever happens, who do you want to play Maria?

So if the Callas movie ever happens, who do you want to play Maria?

main

norman lebrecht

May 20, 2014

Warner Classics are cock-a-hoop, announcing that a Maria Callas biopic is heading into production, to be directed later this year by the New Zealander, Niki Caro. An awful lot can go wrong between now and then.

Casting is, as they say, not yet complete.

Put in your bids now.

Slippedisc is punting for Penelope Cruz.

Any better offers?

 

penelope-cruz-mango-04maria callas opera highlights

Comments

  • martha says:

    She has a very strong Spanish accent though.

    • CDH says:

      In Hollywood an accent is an accent. No disability there. And her husband could make a persuasive Ari…

      The Gheorghiu suggestion below is interesting to ponder, though.

      How DO you solve a problem like Maria?

  • Sarah says:

    It’s wishful thinking, but it would be nice for hollywood to cast a real opera singer for this. I vote for Joyce El-Khoury or maybe Irini Kyriakidou.

  • 2nd violinist says:

    Surely the role is tailor made for Katherine Jenkins in her movie debut….

  • Emil Archambault says:

    Given her last CD, I imagine Angela Gheorghiu will be pushing to get the role…

    As for the singing, Doug brings up a good point; will they have someone sing in place of Callas? It would be hard to make that credible…

  • anonymus says:

    Juliette Binoche?
    http://www.itusozluk.com/image/juliette-binoche_547652.jpg

    Penelope Cruz could be a decent match for the early years of La Callas.

  • m2n2k says:

    Maybe Anne Hathaway could pull it off. Except for the singing of course.

  • James Nickoloff says:

    Barbra Davis would be superb!

  • Martin says:

    Someone with a look alike and who can sing: Anja Harteros.

  • Christy says:

    Think my previous comment got eaten. 🙂

    I think Harteros is a great idea. Also Gheorghiu. Maybe Ailyn Perez or Isabel Leonard.

    Most of all – someone who can sing. It would be an amazing thing for there to be “live” singing.

  • James Nickoloff says:

    Please, not Gheorghiu. She is so far from being, or even understanding, the artist that Callas was. It would not be possible for her to play the part.

  • Robert McCleary says:

    I would also suggest Barbra Davis, although she can be very demanding, even difficult to work with. But she is a perfectionist!

  • Mike says:

    What does it matter after all it’s only the voice that counts. Tara Erraught gets my vote!

  • Jaime says:

    Who is the Barbra Davis you are referring to? The Italian soprano who uses that stage name?

  • MOST READ TODAY: