Bad Bunny lands first leading role in historical drama film
Fresh off his historic Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny is stepping into the spotlight as he stars in the historical drama, Porto Rico.
Variety reported that the Puerto Rican rapper and singer, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, will make his acting debut in the lead role of a film described as an “epic Caribbean western” and a “gripping narrative inspired by true events” about the origins of Puerto Rico.
The official logline hasn't been revealed. Joining him in the main cast are Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen.
It is set to be directed and written by René Pérez Joglar, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper known as Residente. Also co-writing the film is Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris, who also helmed Birdman and The Revenant. Alejandro González Iñárritu will serve as the executive producer.
“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,” Pérez Joglar said, per the outlet. “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are—told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”
“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 said.
“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," he added.
Bad Bunny previously made film appearances in the 2022 film Bullet Train with Brad Pitt and Caught Stealing starring Austin Butler.
Known as the "King of Latin Trap," Bad Bunny is famous for hits such as Safaera, Maldita Pobreza, and La Romana.
He has multiple major awards, including six Grammy Awards and seventeen Latin Grammy Awards, along with numerous Billboard Music Awards. He previously headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, where he showcased Latin American culture.