Bad Bunny will take on his first leading film role in the historical drama “Porto Rico,” following notable appearances in “Bullet Train” and “Caught Stealing.” Directed by René Pérez Joglar, better known as Residente, this marks his debut feature film. The cast will also include Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen. The film is characterised as an “epic Caribbean western” that draws inspiration from authentic events related to Puerto Rico’s origins, although specific details remain undisclosed.
Pérez Joglar collaborated with Alexander Dinelaris, who won an Oscar for his work on “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” to co-write the screenplay. Additionally, Alejandro González Iñárritu, the acclaimed director of both “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” is onboard as an executive producer.
Pérez Joglar has expressed a lifelong ambition to create a film that reflects Puerto Rico’s complex history. He stated that the project’s essence lies in a narrative that portrays the nation’s identity with the respect and fervour it merits.
The production will be managed by Pérez Joglar and Erick Douât through 1868 Studios, a partnership with Sony Music Latin-Iberia and Sony Music Vision, dedicated to crafting culturally enriched content. Norton, alongside Bill Migliore and Michael Bederman, will also produce through Class 5 Films, which has a portfolio that includes notable features such as “The Painted Veil” and “Motherless Brooklyn.”
Norton highlighted that “Porto Rico” aims to evoke powerful narratives, paralleling classics like “The Godfather.” He sees the collaboration between Pérez Joglar and Bad Bunny as an explosive combination poised to reveal the true roots of Puerto Rico.
Backed by entities including Live Nation Studios, “Porto Rico” has attracted investment from various strategic partners. UTA Independent Film Group will facilitate the film’s sales efforts.
Meanwhile, February has seen Bad Bunny rise in prominence, headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show, which celebrated Puerto Rican culture and garnered an average viewership of over 128 million. He also made history at the Grammys, becoming the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
