Bad Bunny Lands First Lead Movie Role in Historical Drama 'Porto Rico'

Summary

• Bad Bunny has been cast in his first-ever leading film role in the upcoming historical drama Porto Rico
• The star-studded supporting cast includes Edward Norton, Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen
• Described as an “epic Caribbean western,” the film is based on true events surrounding Puerto Rico’s origins and its fight against colonialism

Following his historic, culture-celebrating Super Bowl halftime show and latest Grammy win, global superstar Bad Bunny is officially entering his leading man era. The Puerto Rican artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been tapped to star in Porto Rico, an upcoming historical drama that promises to be his most ambitious acting project yet. Directed by his longtime friend and collaborator, the Grammy-winning rapper René “Residente” Pérez Joglar, the film tells a visceral story about their homeland’s complex colonial history.

Porto Rico is described by its creators as a cross between a historical drama and an “epic Caribbean western.” Inspired by true events, the film is expected to center on the story of José Maldonado Román, known as “Águila Blanca” (White Eagle), a late 19th-century revolutionary who fought against colonizers and led uprisings to vindicate Puerto Rico’s identity. Residente, who is making his feature directorial debut, co-wrote the script with Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind Birdman and The Revenant.

Bad Bunny will not be carrying the film alone; he is joined by Academy Award-nominated heavyweights Javier Bardem, Edward Norton, and Viggo Mortensen. Norton, who is also producing the film alongside Residente’s 1868 Studios, compared the project to cinematic classics like The Godfather and Gangs of New York, praising its “visceral drama.” Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu will serve as an executive producer.

While Porto Rico marks his first time anchoring a film, Bad Bunny has been steadily building his acting resume over the past few years. He made his screen debut in Narcos: Mexico and F9, followed by memorable supporting turns in the action blockbuster Bullet Train and the indie biopic Cassandro. He also recently wrapped filming on Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing and Adam Sandler’s highly anticipated Happy Gilmore 2.

Currently in pre-production, Porto Rico does not yet have an official release date or confirmed filming schedule.