ANGELINA Jolie has left fans divided after presenting a striking transformation for an upcoming biopic.
First look pictures of Pablo Larrain's biopic 'Maria' featuring the 48-year-old beauty about the famed opera star Maria Callas have been released.
Angelina looks strikingly different as she portrays her next character, opera singer Maria Callas.
In the newly-released images, Angelina is wearing thick, rimmed spectacles and a chunky white sweater with no makeup in one of the photos.
Her brown and grey-streaked locks were worn down in a messy style as she gazed at the camera with her hands to her face.
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In another snap, she is seen looking much more glamorous, wearing a fur-trimmed coat, crochet hat, and winged eyeliner with heavily lined lips.
These newest photos have indeed divided opinions online, with many fans taking to social media to express their views on Angelina's casting as the American-Greek soprano.
One person penned: "Terrible, the similarity is very distant. For me, it's already a no-no,"
A second said: "She doesn't look like her at all."
A third followed: "Having a Hollywood diva play a historical character is an unforgivable mistake."
Other social media users were elated to see the brunette beauty take on the role as one commented: "She'll be brilliant as Callas."
Another added: "She is the right actor for this character."
As a third wrote: "Oh, I can see an Oscar nomination!"
When asked about the film, Angelina said: "I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy.
"I will give all I can to meet the challenge. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria's story with Pablo, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream."
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The synopsis description revealed that 'Maria' is based on actual events and "tells the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world's greatest opera singer, relieved and re-imagined during her final days in 1970s Paris."
Steven Knight completed the script before the Hollywood Writers Guild strike, but filming for the independent film is already underway due to an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA.
Filming will take place over eight weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest, and Milan.
Pablo, who has directed several other biopics, including 'Jackie' based on former First Lady of the United States Jackie Kennedy and 'Spencer' based on Princess Diana – shared his excitement about his new project in a recent statement.
He said: "I am incredibly excited to start production on 'Maria', which I hope will bring Maria Callas' remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina's brilliant work and extraordinary preparation."
Also starring in 'Maria' are Valeria Golino, 57, Pierfrancesco Favino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, 27, 54, Alba Rohrwacher, 44, and Haluk Bilginer, 69.
Release dates have yet to be announced.
