Bolsonaro Biopic in Development
A biographical film about Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned, is underway, confirmed by his son Carlos. This update comes shortly after Carlos’s brother, Flavio, announced his candidacy for the presidential race in 2026.
In a social media post, Carlos expressed gratitude towards American actor Jim Caviezel, who will portray Bolsonaro in the movie. He described Caviezel’s talents as admirable to many but also noted that they evoke envy in those opposed to Bolsonaro’s political stance. Carlos called working with Caviezel one of the “greatest gifts” of his life, finishing his statement with a heartfelt “God, Jesus and Freedom.”
Caviezel, known for his role as Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ” and in “The Sound of Freedom,” has connections with far-right groups in the U.S. and has faced criticism for the political undertones in some of his work.
The film, titled “Dark Horse,” is directed by Cyrus Nowraste and penned by former Culture Secretary Mario Frias. It aims to present a heroic narrative of Bolsonaro, largely based on his successful campaign during the 2018 elections.
As for Bolsonaro, he’s currently serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to undermine the 2022 election results. Authorities stated he was incarcerated in September for orchestrating efforts to nullify Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s victory. Alongside his imprisonment, he’s also restricted from holding any public office until 2030, which effectively concludes his political career.
Interestingly, from behind bars, Bolsonaro vocalized his support for Flavio as his political successor. Flavio confirmed he will run against candidates from the Liberal Party in the upcoming election, marking his campaign as “irreversible”—a direct challenge to Lula, who is aiming for a fourth term. In a post, Flavio noted the responsibility he feels in continuing his father’s political legacy.
Production for “Dark Horse” is expected to wrap up by 2026, with filming locations set for both Brazil and Mexico.
