Advertisement

Noomi Rapace to play opera singer Maria Callas in biopic

The movie will focus on the soprano's longtime relationship with Aristotle Onassis.

By Annie Martin
Noomi Rapace as Maria Callas for 'Callas.' Photo by Content Media
1 of 6 | Noomi Rapace as Maria Callas for 'Callas.' Photo by Content Media

CANNES, France, May 14 (UPI) -- Noomi Rapace has signed on to Callas.

The 35-year-old actress will portray legendary American opera singer Maria Callas in the new Niki Caro (Whale Rider) biopic. Content Media is shopping the project to distributors at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

Advertisement

Callas was born in 1923, and became one of the most celebrated sopranos of the 20th century. She was well known for her wide-ranging voice and depth of expression, in addition to her allegedly temperamental behavior and love affair with Aristotle Onassis.

Callas will focus on the diva's longtime relationship with Onassis. The singer was married to Giovanni Battista Meneghini when she and the Greek shipping magnate took up in the late 1950s, and remained involved with Onassis until he wed Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968.

"This movie is about an extraordinary woman whose deepest desire is to lead an ordinary life with the man of her choice," producer Guido De Angelis of De Angelis Group said. Callas was la Divina, a goddess, who just wanted to be a normal woman; she found out she couldn't."

Advertisement

"We are absolutely thrilled that Noomi has come onboard, as she is dream casting for Callas," he lauded. "We are convinced she will be able to embody the indomitable spirit of such an important international icon."

Rapace is known for portraying Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film series. She also starred in Ridley Scott sci-fi drama Prometheus, and is scheduled for thriller Alive Alone with Sam Worthington.

Latest Headlines