Bad Bunny is set to take his first leading film role in the historical drama 'Porto Rico,' directed by René Pérez Joglar, known as Residente. The film, described as an epic Caribbean western inspired by true events about Puerto Rico's origins, also features Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen. It marks Residente's feature directorial debut.
René Pérez Joglar, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper known as Residente, is directing 'Porto Rico' in his first feature film. The project reunites him with Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, following their musical collaborations. Bad Bunny previously appeared in supporting roles in 'Bullet Train' alongside Brad Pitt and Darren Aronofsky's 'Caught Stealing.'
The screenplay was co-written by Pérez Joglar and Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of 'Birdman' and 'The Revenant.' Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of those films, serves as an executive producer. Production involves 1868 Studios, a joint venture by Pérez Joglar, Sony Music Latin-Iberia, and Sony Music Vision, focused on authentic, culturally driven storytelling. Additional producers include Pérez Joglar and Erick Douât, as well as Edward Norton, Bill Migliore, and Michael Bederman for Class 5 Films, known for projects like 'Motherless Brooklyn' and 'The Painted Veil.' The film is backed by Live Nation Studios and partners including the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, and Noah Assad. UTA Independent Film Group is handling sales.
Pérez Joglar expressed his long-held passion for the project: “I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. Puerto Rico’s true history has always been surrounded by controversy. This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.” Norton highlighted its thematic depth: “This film sits in a tradition of films we deeply love, from The Godfather to Gangs of New York, that both thrill us with visceral drama and iconic characters and eras while also forcing us to face up to the shadow story under the American narrative of idealism.”
The announcement comes amid a busy period for Bad Bunny, who headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 11, 2026, featuring Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, drawing an average of 128.2 million viewers per Nielsen. Earlier that month, he became the first Spanish-language artist to win the Grammy for album of the year with 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos.' No official logline or release date for 'Porto Rico' has been revealed.
