Meet Jim Caviezel, American actor who will play Jair Bolsonaro in the film

Or long ‘Dark Horse’ (loosely translated as The Underdog)which revisits the 2018 presidential campaign and has as its central point the stabbing suffered by Jair Bolsonaro in Juiz de Fora (MG), it begins to take shape, and the choice of the actor who will play the former president has attracted attention both in Brazil and internationally.

+’Dark Horse’: film about Bolsonaro hits theaters in 2026

The direction will be in charge of the North American Cyrus Nowrastehwhile the script will be signed by the federal deputy Mario Frias (PL-SP). According to information released by Estadão, the film intends to present Bolsonaro as an “unlikely winner”, highlighting his military history, his political trajectory and initiatives aimed at combating drug trafficking. The script also suggests that there had been other alleged assassination attempts, attributed to the same people responsible for the 2018 attack, with the attacker Adélio Bispo will be portrayed under a fictitious name.

The actor chosen to bring Bolsonaro to life is Jim Caviezelfamous for his role in “The Passion of the Christ” (2004), directed by Mel Gibson. His name had been circulating for months on conservative profiles on social media, which pointed to him as the “ideal” choice to play the former president. In addition to his work in cinema, Caviezel is known for controversial statements: he has taken a stance against vaccines — even suggesting that they would be part of a depopulation plan — and supported conspiracy theories involving a supposed “global elite”. These positions, aligned with right-wing groups in the United States, contributed to strengthening the online campaign that defended their participation in the film.

The cast also includes the Mexican Marcus Ornellas on the skin of Flavio Bolsonaro; the Brazilian Sergio Barreto interpreting Carlos Bolsonaro; and the North American Eddie Finlay as Eduardo Bolsonaro. The actresses cast to live Michelle e Laura Bolsonaro have not yet been officially announced.

Filming began in November 20th this year. The narrative should present a more idealized reading of the former president’s trajectory, including passages set in the 1980s, when Bolsonaro was part of the Army and worked in operations to combat drug trafficking.

The production must portray the politician as the target of articulations involving left-wing groups and criminal organizations. In addition to the attack committed by Adélio Bispo — who in the film is called Aurelio Barba —, the script includes scenes about other attack attempts that would have occurred during his recovery. The story should also include the clash between Bolsonaro and an influential drug dealer who, according to the narrative, he helped arrest while still serving in the Armed Forces.

Combining real facts and fictional elements, the film directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh aims to show the former captain facing several “conspirators” committed to assassinating him, relying both on reports from Bolsonaro himself and on versions spread among his supporters.

The text of the film is the responsibility of Mario Friasformer actor, state deputy for PL of São Paulo and former Secretary of Culture during the Bolsonaro government.

Jim Caviezel and Bolsonaro