EXCLUSIVE: Having just received his first Academy Award nomination for The Secret Agent, Wagner Moura has officially signed on to co-star with Kristen Stewart in Flesh of the Gods. This vampire thriller, directed by Panos Cosmatos (known for Mandy), has also recently secured A24 as its U.S. distributor.
Moura is stepping into a pivotal role previously held by Oscar Isaac, who, we understand, withdrew from the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Unveiled during the Cannes Market in the summer of 2024, Flesh of the Gods centers on Raoul (Moura) and Alex (Stewart), a married couple residing in glamorous 1980s Los Angeles. Each night, they descend from their luxurious skyscraper penthouse into the vibrant nocturnal world. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they encounter the mysterious and enigmatic Nameless and her hedonistic entourage, drawing Raoul and Alex into an alluring, surrealistic realm filled with pleasure, excitement, and danger.
The screenplay was penned by Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en), based on a story concept developed by both Cosmatos and Walker. Adam McKay and Betsy Koch are producing on behalf of HyperObject Industries, joined by Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo for Germany’s augenschein Filmproduktion, and Stewart and Maggie McLean for Nevermind Pictures. XYZ Films is managing international sales and providing financing for the endeavor, in collaboration with IPR.VC.
Moura achieved a historic milestone with The Secret Agent, becoming the inaugural Brazilian actor to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He also holds the distinction of being the first Brazilian to win a Golden Globe for acting and Cannes’ Best Actor award. Distributed in the U.S. by Neon, the film, helmed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, saw Moura portray Marcelo, a technology expert who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous political conspiracy during the final years of Brazil’s military dictatorship.
Rising to prominence over a decade ago with his portrayal of Pablo Escobar in Netflix’s Narcos, which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination, Moura’s recent appearances include Alex Garland’s A24 feature Civil War and Apple’s crime drama Dope Thief, where he starred opposite Brian Tyree Henry. His upcoming projects include Louis Leterrier’s Netflix sci-fi horror film 11817, alongside Greta Lee, and the drama The Last Day, opposite Alicia Vikander. He is represented by WME and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.