Bad Bunny is stepping into his first leading role on the big screen with an upcoming historical drama centered on Puerto Rico, marking a major milestone in the global superstar’s acting career.
The Puerto Rican artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will headline Porto Rico, a feature film directed by René Pérez Joglar better known to fans as Residente. The project will also star Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton and Javier Bardem, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu attached as an executive producer. The film represents Pérez Joglar’s feature directorial debut.
According to Deadline, the cast brings together an international lineup for a story rooted in Puerto Rico’s complex history. For Bad Bunny, 31, the role marks his first time leading a film after several high-profile supporting performances in recent years.
Residente on Telling Puerto Rico’s Story
Pérez Joglar has long envisioned bringing Puerto Rico’s past to the screen. Speaking about the project, he 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.”
Edward Norton: ‘The True Story of Puerto Rico’s Roots’
Edward Norton also shared why the project resonates with him, describing the film’s scope and ambition. In a statement, Norton said the movie will “tell the true story of Puerto Rico’s roots.”
He added, “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.”
Norton continued, “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.”
Bad Bunny’s Growing Acting Career
Bad Bunny has steadily expanded his acting résumé over the past few years. He made his on-screen debut in 2021 with F9 and Narcos: Mexico, followed by roles in 2022’s Bullet Train and the 2023 film Cassandro, opposite Gael García Bernal. Most recently, he appeared in Darren Aronofsky’s 2025 feature Caught Stealing and returned to host Saturday Night Live to kick off season 51.
A Creative Reunion for Bad Bunny and Residente
Porto Rico also reunites Bad Bunny with Pérez Joglar following their musical collaboration on Residente’s solo single “Bellacoso.” Reflecting on how the song came together, Pérez Joglar previously told PEOPLE in 2019, “We were hanging out and one day it was, ‘Hey, we can do a song, you know?’ When it’s organic it’s better and we just wanted to have fun.”
Following a Historic Super Bowl Moment
The film announcement comes just days after Bad Bunny delivered a landmark Super Bowl Apple Music Halftime Show performance on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The set made history as the first halftime show performed entirely in Spanish and featured appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, along with celebrity cameos including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G and Young Miko.
With Porto Rico, Bad Bunny now takes on his most ambitious acting project yet leading a film that aims to confront and reclaim the island’s history on the global stage.
Source: People