protagonize

verb2

1. •
   To set up as the protagonist, or most significant character or entity.

   • Our project should be to protagonize ourselves, and yet, that project presents certain problems. — 2018
2. •
   To be the protagonist, or most significant character or entity (of a literary work, etc.).

   • For the sake of convenience, the name “Ernesto [Guevara]” will refer to the young medical student who protagonizes The Motorcycle Diaries (henceforth, Motorcycle Diaries). — 2019