Bad Bunny is stepping into leading man territory.
The global superstar is set to headline the upcoming historical drama “Porto Rico,” marking his first leading role in a feature film. According to Deadline, the project is described as an “epic Caribbean western” inspired by true events that explores the origins of Puerto Rico. While an official plot synopsis has not yet been released, the film is already shaping up to be one of the most ambitious projects of his career.
He will star alongside Edward Norton, Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen. The film is directed by Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist René Pérez Joglar, better known as Residente, in his feature directorial debut. Pérez Joglar co-wrote the screenplay with Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris, known for “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” with Alejandro González Iñárritu serving as an executive producer.
In a statement, Pérez Joglar said he has dreamed of making a film about Puerto Rico since childhood, calling the project “a reaffirmation of who we are.”
A Full-Circle Moment With Residente
“Porto Rico” also marks a major creative reunion. Bad Bunny and Residente share a longtime friendship rooted in their Puerto Rican identity and cultural pride. The two first connected in 2017 and later collaborated on the 2019 singles “Bellacoso” and “Afilando los Cuchillos,” the latter released during political protests on the island, according to Billboard.
Their relationship has continued to evolve beyond music. In a wide-ranging Billboard interview tied to Bad Bunny’s San Juan residency, Residente praised the singer’s cultural impact and commitment to Puerto Rico, while Bad Bunny spoke about wanting to uplift his homeland through every project he touches.
Now, the pair are teaming up to tell a cinematic story centered on Puerto Rico’s roots.
From Supporting Roles to Super Bowl History
While this is his first time leading a film, Bad Bunny has steadily built an acting résumé in recent years. He made his onscreen debut in “Narcos: Mexico” and appeared in “F9” in 2021. He followed that with a role in “Bullet Train” in 2022, then starred in “Cassandro.” In 2025, he appeared in Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” and took on a comedic role in “Happy Gilmore 2.”
The announcement caps off a historic stretch for the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. As Biography notes, his 2020 album “El Último Tour del Mundo” became the first all-Spanish album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He repeated that success with “Un Verano Sin Ti,” “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” and 2025’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which made history in 2026 as the first Spanish-language album to win Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
He has also dominated the Super Bowl stage. After appearing as a guest performer during the 2020 halftime show, Bad Bunny returned in 2026 to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show solo, becoming the first solo Latin artist to do so.
With “Porto Rico,” Bad Bunny is once again expanding his reach, this time as the face of a major historical drama centered on his homeland. As Pérez Joglar put it, the film will be told “with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”
