After winning a Golden Globe for 'The Secret Agent', Brazilian actor Wagner Moura has been reinstated by Variety in its list of five finalists for best actor at the 2026 Oscars. The update was released on Tuesday (13). The film, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, secured a double win for Brazil at the awards.
Variety magazine initially excluded Wagner Moura from its list of nominees for best actor at the 2026 Oscars but revised its prediction after the actor won a Golden Globe in the category for the film 'The Secret Agent'. The updated list, published on January 13, 2026, places the Brazilian among the top five candidates for the Academy Award.
'The Secret Agent', directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, was a highlight at the Golden Globes, where Brazil celebrated a double victory: the award for Moura as actor and recognition for the film. In his acceptance speech, Moura addressed memory, values, and the link between culture and democracy, as reported in columns about the ceremony.
The Golden Globe awards took place recently, and Moura's reinstatement reflects the impact of his win on the film industry's perception. Variety, an influential Hollywood publication, adjusted its Oscar projections, which will occur later in 2026. This shift underscores the growing international recognition of Brazilian cinema, with Moura starring in the thriller directed by Mendonça Filho.
While columns like Mariliz Pereira Jorge's noted a cautious tone at the Golden Globes ceremony on political topics, the focus on Moura centers on the artistic merit of his performance.
