Wagner Moura Reacts to Making History With Oscar Nomination

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Wagner Moura is giving an elite squad of actors their flowers. 

The star of Secret Agent, who is up for Best Actor at the 2026 Oscars, recently talked about what it means to him to be the first Brazilian actor nominated in that category.

He told TopMob News at The Hollywood Reporter’s Nominees Night in Los Angeles on February 10th that he wasn’t dwelling on the recognition, but was very proud and hoped it would create more opportunities for Brazilian and other South American actors.

He noted the wealth of talented actors throughout South America, mentioning Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Colombia, and Venezuela. He added that South America boasts excellent directors and a thriving film industry, and expressed hope that this creative success continues.

And for those coming up in the industry behind him, the 49-year-old offered a few words of wisdom.

As someone who’s spent years observing people and how they present themselves, I’ve learned that authenticity is everything. Truly living your life, being honest with yourself about who you are – that’s what shines through in everything you do, especially if you’re a creative person like me. I’ve realized that when I play a character, I’m actually drawing on different facets of my own personality. So, the key is to tap into those genuine emotions within myself – that’s where the real performance begins.

I’ve heard so many actors say this, and it really resonates with me: you absolutely have to be fully present in the moment. It’s not just about showing up, though. I believe it comes down to being honest with yourself and truly understanding who you are. That inner work is what allows you to really connect with the role and bring authenticity to everything you do.

Oh my gosh, Wagner actually said working on that Oscar-nominated thriller was amazing from beginning to end! I mean, I knew it was a masterpiece, but to hear it was a great experience for him too? It just makes me love the movie even MORE! Seriously, everything about it was perfect, and knowing he felt that way while making it… it’s just everything.

He explained to Elizabeth Moss in an interview with Interview Magazine last December that he had a good idea of the film’s story, but he was simply very happy while making it. He pointed out that feeling good on set doesn’t always guarantee a good movie, and conversely, a difficult shoot doesn’t necessarily mean the final product will be bad.

And the Civil War star has only ever been in it for his love of storytelling.

He joked that he’s never worked for the money, and he’s always avoided projects based on potential future opportunities. He’s never chosen a film just because it was expected to be a huge hit.

He explained that he hopes his work will ultimately reflect consistent choices. He feels many of his films are political because he’s interested in politics and often finds social and political themes even where others might not.

But Wagner isn’t the only first-time nominee at the 2026 Oscars. For more, read on…

—Reporting by Daryn Carp

Michael B. Jordan gave a stunning performance as both of the Smokestack twins in Ryan Coogler’s film, Sinners—their fifth project together—and earned his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for it.

I truly love playing both Smoke and Stack – it’s hard to pick a favorite! I told TopMob News at the Critics Choice Awards that both characters mean so much to me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to bring them to life. I know I’ll carry both Smoke and Stack with me forever, and that’s a real honor.

I was so thrilled to see both Jordan and the incredible veteran actor Lindo get recognition for Ryan Coogler’s amazing film! Lindo was just fantastic as Delta Slim, bringing such wisdom and subtlety to the role – a truly deft performance.

He’s known for his work in acclaimed films like Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1992) and Da 5 Bloods (2020), the latter of which earned him Oscar buzz and several awards. He also completed a research project focusing on the history of people of African descent in the United Kingdom.

Lindo was eager to begin filming Sinners, which was set in the racially segregated South. He told The Ankler that he felt his character wasn’t strong enough in the early versions of the script. “I felt like I faded into the background during the second half of the film,” he explained, adding that the final version gave him a much more prominent role.

Layo Mosaku, a British actress originally from Nigeria, gained recognition for her role as Annie, a spiritual healer in the series Sinners. She’s also known as the estranged wife of the character Smoke. Mosaku has said that if she hadn’t pursued acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, her life would have taken a very different path, as she shared in a 2021 interview with Schon Magazine.

Instead, she won a BAFTA in 2016 for her work on the TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy and then moved to the United States. There, she landed roles in popular shows like Luther, Lovecraft Country, and Loki.

She remembered being nervous before auditioning with Michael B. Jordan. She told W magazine it felt like a potentially intimidating situation. But it turned out to be surprisingly comfortable. They had a good rapport, explored the scene together, and worked well as a team. In fact, she was offered the role right there in the audition room, which she called ‘crazy’.

Many North American viewers will recognize the Oscar nominee from his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series Narcos. However, he’s already a huge star in Brazil. This made his part in The Secret Agent – where he plays Armando, a widowed professor forced to abandon his life because of his resistance to the 1970s military dictatorship – especially meaningful for him.

Actor Wagner Moura explained to the Los Angeles Times that he often portrays characters with strong reactions to injustice, which mirrors his own passionate nature. However, he also emphasized that his latest film isn’t about revolution or political upheaval; it’s simply the story of a man who remains true to himself and his principles.

This year, the 49-year-old father of three has already won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic Film, and he’s also up for an Actor Award (formerly known as a SAG Award).

The celebrated Swedish actor, famous for roles in films like Good Will Hunting, Mamma Mia!, Thor, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Dune, and the series Chernobyl and Andor, as well as his intense work with director Lars Von Trier, had never been an Academy Award nominee – until now.

74-year-old Stellan Skarsgård has been pleasantly surprised by the positive attention he’s received for his role in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. He plays Gustav Borg, a respected filmmaker who decides to document his family’s history after his former wife passes away, which causes friction with his distant daughters.

Given that the actor, a father of eight, believed his career was over after a stroke three years prior caused memory loss, his recent success is remarkable. He cleverly learned to perform by receiving his lines through an earpiece, ultimately landing a dream role.

“It’s impossible to predict how a movie will be received,” said Bill Skarsgård, who won a 2026 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. He told the LA Times that this film has connected with people of all ages and backgrounds. “It’s clearly resonated with audiences,” he explained. “What’s amazing is that despite dealing with serious themes, it feels surprisingly light – like a delicate soufflé with a hint of darkness.”

Sentimental Value marks the third time Renate Reinsve has worked with director Joachim Trier, following her debut in the 2011 film Oslo, August 31st, and their 2021 film, The Worst Person in the World.

At 38, the actress has earned her first Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Nora—a successful TV and stage performer who is unwilling to work with her estranged father on a film, and pushes back against his efforts to make amends.

The Norwegian actor deeply appreciates Trier’s impact on her development and praises his ability to foster a supportive and creatively freeing atmosphere for the entire cast.

Reinsve explained to Deadline that her approach to a role isn’t about individual performance, but rather how she interacts with the entire cast and crew on set. The focus isn’t on what she brings to the role, but on creating a collaborative moment and exploring the scene’s meaning together. This shared approach actually reduces pressure, as the performance emerges from the dynamic between everyone involved.

The Norwegian actress, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Agnes – the historian and more reserved daughter of Gustav – shared that she felt a strong personal connection to the character.

The 36-year-old, who shares a son with her husband, actor Gunnar Eiriksson, told Deadline she feels a strong connection to the character Agnes, similar to the bond she has with her own siblings. She understands the deep love and protective feelings that come with family, and the desire for those family relationships to thrive.

Fanning confessed she would have accepted even a small role from Joachim Trier, expressing her admiration for his work in The Worst Person in the World. Ultimately, she was cast as Rachel, the American actress who plays the part Nora rejects in the film.

This Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress follows previous nominations from the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes, and caps off what she describes as a perfect filming experience.

I could really relate to my character because, like her, I was visiting Norway for the very first time,” the 27-year-old actress explained. “It was a complex experience, but I absolutely loved it. Norway is so clean, and it was great to see everyone getting around by bike – I felt like I fit in immediately.

Golden Globe-winning actress Mary Bronstein described her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You as emotionally challenging, filled with humor, horror, fear, and deeply upsetting experiences. She told W magazine that her character, a therapist, faces a sick child and a constant stream of unfortunate events.

Oh my god, Linda… she completely took over my brain! It was honestly terrifying and exhilarating trying to figure her out. It felt like this massive creative challenge, but in the best way possible. I was buzzing with energy the whole time we were filming, seriously wired. By the end, I felt completely lost, like I’d run a marathon. I was actually scared to watch the finished movie! I kept putting it off, avoiding it like the plague. And then, when I finally did… I just couldn’t speak. I was totally speechless.

The Academy had something to say, however, and now Byrne, 46, is an Oscar nominee for Best Actress.

While Jacob Elordi used 42 prosthetic pieces to become Frankenstein’s Creature, the emotional depth and sadness in his performance come entirely from his own acting ability.

This earned the 28-year-old his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, after he unexpectedly won a Critics Choice Award and received nominations for a Golden Globe and an Actor Award.

To fully commit to a role, you have to disconnect from your own life, explained Elordi to Netflix’s Tudum. He described shutting out emotions, blocking out distractions, and fundamentally changing your perspective. Even everyday routines like eating and showering need to become different, allowing you to truly transform into the character.

All’s fair in love and war.

Though not all of Taylor’s roles have been critically acclaimed, her 20-minute appearance as the passionate revolutionary, Perfidia Beverly Hills, quickly put her in contention for awards. This has now led to a Golden Globe win and her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Many modern films feel distant and hard to connect with, the 35-year-old explained to the LA Times. But Paul Thomas Anderson’s characters are wonderfully imperfect, deeply human, and realistically vulnerable. When you watch his movies, you’re left thinking, ‘Wow, have other people really experienced that?’ That’s what movies should do – provoke thought, spark important conversations, and encourage honest, even difficult, discussions. He wants his films to be impactful and memorable.

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2026-02-11 19:48