Chapter 49 – The SAG Awards and the Confirmation of Favoritism
February 23, 2026 – Los Angeles, California
The night of the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) had arrived, and with it, the last major preview before the Oscars.
The award, granted by the Hollywood Actors Guild, was one of the most prestigious in the industry, as it was decided by the actors themselves.
And that year, all eyes were on Gustavo Salles.
He had already won the Golden Globe, the Critics' Choice and the BAFTA, and now, the SAG could consolidate him as the absolute favorite for the Oscar.
If he won… the chances of taking home the golden statuette would be practically certain.
But Gustavo, sitting at his table surrounded by Getúlio's cast, could not relax.
In the car, on the way to the Fairmont Century Plaza, where the ceremony was taking place, Gustavo looked out the window, trying to contain his nervousness.
Next to him, Fernando was calmly drinking a glass of water.
— You're too quiet. Is everything okay?
Gustavo smiled sideways.
— I'm trying to convince myself that I'm not nervous.
Fernando laughed.
— If I wasn't, I'd be worried.
Gustavo sighed.
— This award is for actors, man. It's the people who really understand what we do. If I win this...
Fernando nodded.
— If you win this, my friend, you can start practicing your samba for the Oscar.
The SAG Awards ceremony continued, with emotional speeches and surprises in the initial categories.
But when it came to the Best Actor category, Gustavo felt his heart race.
He was competing with huge names:
Gustavo Salles – Getúlio
He took a deep breath.
The presenter, Charlize Theron, opened the envelope.
After a dramatic pause, she smiled and announced:
— And the SAG Award for Best Actor goes to… GUSTAVO SALLES, FOR GETÚLIO!
The theater erupted in applause.
Gustavo stood completely still for a second.
Then, Fernando Meirelles slapped him on the back and laughed.
— Get up, champ! You did it!
Gustavo stood up slowly, still processing, while everyone around him gave him a standing ovation.
As he passed the tables, several iconic actors reached out to shake his hand.
Robert De Niro hugged him and whispered:
— You deserve it, kid.
Meryl Streep smiled and clapped enthusiastically.
And when he walked on stage, holding the SAG statuette, the entire room gave him a standing ovation.
He took the microphone, still trying to believe what was happening.
— Wow… Okay. This is getting more and more surreal.
The audience laughed and applauded.
Gustavo took a deep breath and continued:
— This award means a lot. It comes directly from you, from my fellow actors, from people who know what it means to give yourself to a role. So, I can only say… thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
He looked at Fernando, who was smiling proudly.
— Playing Getúlio Vargas was one of the greatest challenges of my life. I never imagined that a Brazilian film, about one of the most important moments in our history, would go so far. But we did. And this proves that cinema has no borders.
The audience applauded intensely.
Gustavo smiled and finished:
— And since I know there are people watching this and waiting… Yes, Jimmy Fallon, if I win the Oscar, I will samba. A promise is a promise.
The audience burst out laughing.
He held the statuette high and left the stage amidst a storm of applause.
Minutes later, social media went into meltdown.
— GUSTAVO SALLES WON THE SAG! THIS MEANS THE OSCAR IS COMING!
— First Brazilian to win a SAG for Best Actor! This is pure history!
— Gustavo holding the award and confirming that he will dance samba if he wins the Oscar… I LOVE THIS MAN!
On entertainment programs in the United States, commentators were already saying he would win the Oscar.
And in Brazil, the headlines were full of national pride.
Jornal Nacional:
"Gustavo Salles wins the SAG Awards and becomes the absolute favorite for the Oscar."
O Globo:
"Never before has a Brazilian been so close to the Oscar for Best Actor."
The next morning, the Gold Derby website updated its predictions:
Oscar winning odds:
✅ Gustavo Salles – 95%
Now, there was no more doubt.
The next step was the biggest of all.
The Oscar was just around the corner.
Chapter 50 – The Oscar Nominees Dinner
February 25, 2026 – The Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles
The Oscar Nominees Dinner was one of the most important events before the awards ceremony.
It was a time when all the nominees, from actors and directors to screenwriters and production designers, gathered in a more intimate setting, without the pressure of the spotlight and the public.
Gustavo, now the absolute favorite for the Best Actor award, arrived at the event feeling the weight of that moment.
He had already attended countless awards ceremonies in the last few months, but the proximity of the Oscars made everything seem more intense.
As he walked through the luxurious ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, wearing an impeccable navy blue suit, he greeted some familiar faces.
Steven Spielberg, who was nominated as a producer of one of the competing films, smiled when he saw him.
"Gustavo! Have you memorized the speech yet?"
Gustavo laughed, relaxed.
— Not at all. I'm in "don't get your hopes up" mode.
Spielberg raised an eyebrow.
— Then you better start writing. I think you're going to need it.
Gustavo laughed, but felt his stomach churn.
He knew he was close to something huge.
Meeting Timothée Chalamet
While he was getting a drink at the bar, Gustavo felt a light tap on his shoulder.
— So, early Oscar winner?
He turned around and came face to face with Timothée Chalamet.
— Man, you always show up at the right moments.
Timothée laughed and picked up a whiskey.
— If I had a dollar for every time I heard your name in the last few months, I would have bought a private island by now.
Gustavo laughed and toasted him.
— Well, now you know how I felt the year of your "Dune."
Timothée shook his head, laughing.
— Speaking of which, congratulations on the SAG. If the actors voted for you, the Oscar is already guaranteed.
Gustavo sighed.
— Man, I don't want to fool myself. You know how unpredictable this industry can be.
Timothée took a sip of whiskey and smiled.
— Trust me. Your name is already written on that statuette.
While Gustavo was talking to Timothée, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
— Well, well... Look who's still dominating Hollywood.
He turned around and saw Mikey Madison, nominated again for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Gustavo smiled.
— Mikey! I knew I'd find you here.
She crossed her arms and smiled.
— Of course. It seems like you and I are becoming regulars at these awards shows.
Timothée raised his hands.
— And me? I'm always there in the corner, nominated, but never winning the award!
Gustavo and Mikey laughed.
Mikey picked up a glass of wine and looked at Gustavo.
— You know what's funny? A year ago, part of your audience was cursing me because I won the Oscar instead of Fernanda.
Gustavo grimaced.
— And I hated that. I always said you deserved that award.
Mikey smiled and clinked his glass against his.
— I know. That's why we're still friends.
They talked a little more about the behind-the-scenes of the awards shows, about how the industry changes quickly and about future projects.
The dinner continued in a light atmosphere, but everyone there knew that they were just a few days away from the biggest night of their careers.
And Gustavo, as he looked around, saw Cillian Murphy, Leonardo DiCaprio and other great actors.
It was surreal to be there.
But he knew he belonged there.
Now the Oscars were closer than ever.
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