Opera singer Maria Callas, who was portrayed in the Cannes opening night film “Grace of Monaco,” will be the subject of a biopic from “Whale Rider” and “North Country” director Niki Caro, the filmmakers announced at Cannes on Monday, May 19, according to TheWrap.

In a press release announcing the film “Callas,” writer-director Caro – who is currently in post production on the Disney film “McFarland” — said, “I have a great fascination for Maria Callas, who was such a powerful woman and artist, but also troubled and stuck in this very destructive relationship.”

Callas’ relationship was with Aristotle Onassis, the Greek shipping tycoon who went on to marry Jacqueline Kennedy. Both Callas and Onassis are featured in “Grace of Monaco.”

Filming on “Callas” is scheduled to begin in the fall. The film will be produced by Gudio, Nicola and Marco De Angelis of the De Angelis Group (Italy) and René Bastian and Linda Moran of Belladonna Productions (New York) with Brett Thornquest of Eclectic Vision (Australia) co-financing.

Casting is underway.