Bad Bunny to lead 'Porto Rico' film directed by Residente and produced by Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Bad Bunny will star in 'Porto Rico' alongside Edward Norton, Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem

Bad Bunny is set to take on his first leading film role in Porto Rico, a feature directed by René Pérez Joglar and produced by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

The project, first reported on February 18, will see the Puerto Rican artist star alongside Edward Norton, Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem. The film has been described as an epic Caribbean western and historical drama.

Porto Rico has been in development since 2023 and was initially presented as a drama centred on 19th-century Puerto Rican revolutionary José Maldonado Román, known as White Eagle.

It is not yet clear whether the film remains directly based on Román. A press release quoted in reports describes the film as a blend of “historical scope with a visceral, lyrical approach and a gripping narrative inspired by true events.”

In a statement, Residente said: “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 also commented on the project, saying: “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. Everybody knows what a poet of language and rhythm René is. Now they’re going to see what a visual visionary he is as well. And bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico’s roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that’s been waiting for it.”

The film marks Bad Bunny’s first leading role following supporting appearances in Bullet Train and Happy Gilmore 2.