Forbes has shed light on a trend in the film industry that was largely overlooked amidst all the excitement surrounding the 2026 Oscar nominations: actor-director partnerships flourishing over time. A total of four out of ten lead acting nominations were awarded to collaborations between actors and directors who have worked together for at least three films, with some partnerships spanning nearly two decades.
Emma Stone's five collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos have led to her earning a Best Actress nomination for the film "Bugonia." Each performance has built upon the last, allowing both artists to refine their working relationship and push each other creatively. Similarly, Michael B. Jordan's fifth collaboration with Ryan Coogler resulted in his dual role as vampire-fighting twins in the film "Sinners."
Ethan Hawke's nine-film partnership with Richard Linklater has yielded multiple nominations for Best Actor, including one this year. The two artists have developed a shorthand that allows them to collaborate seamlessly, often blurring the lines between where the director's vision ends and the actor's interpretation begins.
Renate Reinsve's three-film partnership with Joachim Trier also earned her an Oscar nomination for her role in "Sentimental Value." The Norwegian director cast Reinsve in a one-line role nearly 15 years ago, and she eventually landed the lead role in his breakout film, "The Worst Person in the World."
While long-term collaborations between actors and directors are becoming more prevalent, they can be a rare occurrence in the film industry. Hollywood's default approach often prioritizes casting big names for standalone films, rather than cultivating relationships that develop over time.
Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro's eight-film partnership is a notable example of a successful long-term collaboration that has led to multiple Academy Award nominations and wins. Other directors have followed in their footsteps, such as Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers, who have developed recurring ensembles for their films.
The 2026 Oscar nominations highlight the value of building creative partnerships over time. When actors and directors work together repeatedly, they can refine their communication styles, develop a shared understanding, and push each other creatively. This approach is evident in performances that require vulnerability, intensity, or nuanced acting, such as Stone's shaved head for "Bugonia," Jordan's dual roles in "Sinners," Hawke's rapid-fire wit in "Blue Moon," and Reinsve's portrayal of complex characters.
As the film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these long-term collaborations are valued and recognized. The 2026 Oscar nominations serve as a reminder that sometimes the most innovative work comes from building relationships that last, rather than trying something new.
Emma Stone's five collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos have led to her earning a Best Actress nomination for the film "Bugonia." Each performance has built upon the last, allowing both artists to refine their working relationship and push each other creatively. Similarly, Michael B. Jordan's fifth collaboration with Ryan Coogler resulted in his dual role as vampire-fighting twins in the film "Sinners."
Ethan Hawke's nine-film partnership with Richard Linklater has yielded multiple nominations for Best Actor, including one this year. The two artists have developed a shorthand that allows them to collaborate seamlessly, often blurring the lines between where the director's vision ends and the actor's interpretation begins.
Renate Reinsve's three-film partnership with Joachim Trier also earned her an Oscar nomination for her role in "Sentimental Value." The Norwegian director cast Reinsve in a one-line role nearly 15 years ago, and she eventually landed the lead role in his breakout film, "The Worst Person in the World."
While long-term collaborations between actors and directors are becoming more prevalent, they can be a rare occurrence in the film industry. Hollywood's default approach often prioritizes casting big names for standalone films, rather than cultivating relationships that develop over time.
Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro's eight-film partnership is a notable example of a successful long-term collaboration that has led to multiple Academy Award nominations and wins. Other directors have followed in their footsteps, such as Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers, who have developed recurring ensembles for their films.
The 2026 Oscar nominations highlight the value of building creative partnerships over time. When actors and directors work together repeatedly, they can refine their communication styles, develop a shared understanding, and push each other creatively. This approach is evident in performances that require vulnerability, intensity, or nuanced acting, such as Stone's shaved head for "Bugonia," Jordan's dual roles in "Sinners," Hawke's rapid-fire wit in "Blue Moon," and Reinsve's portrayal of complex characters.
As the film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these long-term collaborations are valued and recognized. The 2026 Oscar nominations serve as a reminder that sometimes the most innovative work comes from building relationships that last, rather than trying something new.
. I mean, yeah, it's awesome that actors and directors are working together for years, but it's not like they're being forced to, right? It's all just a big coincidence that they happen to click so well together 
. And what about the times when they clash? Don't those collaborations turn into dramas behind the scenes? I'm sure there are plenty of examples where the partnership just fizzled out and nobody knows what went wrong 
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. And don't even get me started on Michael B. Jordan's dual roles in "Sinners"... what, did he just decide to put on a pair of sunglasses and suddenly become two people? 
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. It's cool that some actors and directors have found success working together, but it's not like they're some kind of special snowflakes or anything. They just happened to have a good rapport, okay? 
it's not always easy to find someone you trust enough to work with again and again, but it sounds like these partnerships really pay off. I think that's why we're seeing so many long-term collaborations on the rise - it's just more effective in the end 
[a GIF of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos making funny faces at each other] 
actors & directors working together for ages is the real MVP 
(no surprise, though - it's like a rom-com or something 
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who needs new actors when you've got a whole cast of weirdos? 
. And you can see it in the performances, too - they're so nuanced & intense 
. Like Emma Stone with Lanthimos, she's evolved so much over their collaborations 
. The Oscars should definitely be recognizing these long-term partnerships more often 
. It's not just about who's available for a big-budget film, it's about building relationships that can create truly memorable performances 
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I was gonna plan one for this weekend but forgot 
. Anyway, back to movies... I think it's kinda cool how some actors and directors just become like a team over time, you know? Like they really understand each other's style and can push each other to try new things. I've seen some of their movies and the chemistry between them is amazing 
I'm so loving this trend of actors-directors collabing for years! 
I mean, who doesn't want to see more of these powerhouse partnerships? 
The film industry is all about growth and evolution, and this trend shows that sometimes it's better to take your time and build something special rather than rushing into something new.
Now we're seeing people like Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos killing it with five films under their belt! It's crazy to think about how much more depth and nuance they can bring just because they've worked together so many times.
Would she have still become an Oscar winner? It's also kinda weird to me how often big-name actors are cast in standalone films just because they're famous... doesn't that stifle the creativity of long-term partnerships? 
like, emma stone & yorgos lanthimos have been working togetha for ages & it shows in her acting - she's always on point 
michael b jordan & ryen coogler too are killing the game with 5 films under their belt 
and i love how these collabs r leading to more nuanced performances - it's all about building those relationships over time 
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! I mean, can you imagine working with someone for years, seeing how they evolve as an artist and your relationship deepening? It's like having a built-in creative BFF 
. It's all about finding that perfect partnership, and it sounds like the 2026 Oscar noms are shining a light on some of the most talented duos in Hollywood 
. They've been making magic happen for nine films now, and it's crazy to think about how much they must know each other. It's all about building trust and having that shorthand, you know? 
Anyway, I'm excited to see more of these collaborations in the future - let's give some love to those long-term partnerships 
. And Renate Reinsve's journey from that one-line role in "The Worst Person in the World" to Oscar nomination is just inspiring 