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The interview below has been condensed and edited for clarity.
DEADLINE:You and Pablo worked together onSpencer; how did the idea of collaborating again onMariacome about?
Was there something about opera that particularly intrigued you?
Angelina Jolie in ‘Maria,’ and Steven KnightNEtflix/Getty
STEVEN KNIGHT:It was duringSpencer.
I knew much more about it probably 15 years ago than I do now.
But I just thought this is interesting.
So I found it very interesting.
And then, obviously, read a bit about Maria and found her life incredible.
DEADLINE:What was the research process?
KNIGHT:I tend not to research in the in the normal way.
I mean, Ive read the basics of her life, I read around the story.
The thing that most influenced me was firsthand accounts from Ferruccio, who was her butler.
Its trying to find, I would call it, the human version of the facts.
In other words, imagine what its like actually being in that situation.
Why would you be prompted to say those words?
Why would you tolerate Aristotle Onassis?
Why would you go there?
Somebody very bright, intelligent and strong… and try and get into those mindsets.
DEADLINE:Whats an example of that?
So you have to go to that and say, If thats true, what happened, then?
What was that feeling?
I just think human beings are really, really, really elusive.
And theres a lot of love between the people involved.
So Ferruccio and Bruna obviously loved her.
DEADLINE:Did you end up speaking to Ferruccio before he passed away?
But whats great about it is its all about the domestic life.
Lets listen to what happened.
Lets think about what happened.
Lets go back there and be in that ballroom with Onassis and decide what was it?
And she decides she is okay.
So for me, I wanted it to be the final review that wasnt by anyone else.
I dont think that youre trying to take the organism and reveal the entire truth about that organism.
Theres nothing wrong with that.
Whereas, Maria Callas seems more a part of history.
Did you come away with a different opinion, or what do you think you learned through the process?
KNIGHT:What I think is, I know who that person was now.
I think human beings are different minute-to-minute, different from one situation to another.
So to try and make it as real as possible.
But I dont think anybody is one person at all.
DEADLINE:How did you collaborate with Pablo?
I thought about it for a bit, Yeah.
And then there was virtually nothing beyond that.
So I wrote the script and he said Yeah, thats okay.
And that often happens, and it drives me mad.
A lot of things in the film actually happened.
And the great thing is, he does it.
But you know, its a very Elton John/Bernie Taupin sort of relationship.
But I didnt want the idea that this poor woman is now the victim of this addiction.
Ive turned him into a journalist whos interrogating her about life.
And she says, No.
The doctor says your drug taking is out of control.
And she says, Its not out of control, its in my control.
So its almost like giving the drug she was taking their respectability.
Shes taking these drugs.
Theyre giving her access to mystical, she would say, experiences.
And this is great, because shes going through her life herself.
DEADLINE:Did you write knowing Angelina Jolie was going to be in the movie?
KNIGHT:I was halfway through the first draft when her name was mentioned.
And then I thought, Well, thats obvious, perfect.
And so theres a shorthand.
DEADLINE:Did you go to the set?
Do you like to be around during filming?
KNIGHT:No, I wasnt around with Pablo.
You dont need to be around.
Its going to be pretty much what youve written.
Theres no point turning up like, you know, on a royal visit now and again.
I think its better to to make that choice.
Its just an amazing process with Pablo, but I dont think theres any benefit to being there.
With Stephen Frears, he wanted you there all the time, at the monitor.
But with Pablo, theres no need for that.
Every director is different and they want different things.
I feel that its two distinct disciplines.
What are you going to do, start moving the chairs or change the clock?
You cant do it.
So you have to just say, Okay, Ive handed this over now.
DEADLINE:Will you guys work together again?
KNIGHT:I hope so.
I think theres more stories to tell.
Weve got a couple of specific things that we might want to explore.
DEADLINE:Do you think youd go back to directing?
