Bad Bunny to Lead Historical Epic ‘Porto Rico’ With Edward Norton, Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen
Bad Bunny will take on his first leading film role in Porto Rico, a historical drama directed by Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist René Pérez Joglar, known professionally as Residente. The project marks Pérez Joglar’s feature directorial debut.
The film, described by producers as an “epic Caribbean western” inspired by true events, explores the early history of Puerto Rico. While specific plot details have not been disclosed, the story is positioned as a large-scale examination of the island’s origins and identity. Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen are set to co-star.
Bad Bunny, whose acting credits include supporting roles in Bullet Train and Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing, steps into a significantly expanded screen presence with the role. The film pairs him with established international actors in what is being mounted as a prestige historical production.
Pérez Joglar co-wrote the screenplay with Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris, whose credits include Birdman. Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of and The Revenant, will serve as an executive producer.
In a statement, Pérez Joglar described the project as a long-standing ambition and emphasized its focus on confronting contested narratives surrounding Puerto Rico’s past. He characterized the film as an effort to present the island’s history with urgency and clarity.
Production is being handled by Pérez Joglar and Erick Douât under 1868 Studios, a venture formed with Sony Music Latin-Iberia and Sony Music Vision to develop culturally driven film and television projects. Norton, alongside Bill Migliore and Michael Bederman, will produce through Class 5 Films, the company behind features such as The Painted Veil and Motherless Brooklyn.
Norton said the film aligns with a tradition of historical dramas that combine large-scale storytelling with a critical look at foundational myths. He also praised Pérez Joglar’s creative instincts, suggesting audiences will see a new dimension of the musician’s artistic voice through the film.
Live Nation Studios and Class 5 Films are backing the project, with additional financial participation from private investors, including the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative and Mike and Sukey Novogratz. UTA Independent Film Group is representing international sales.
The announcement comes during a high-profile period for Bad Bunny. Earlier this month, he became the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for DeBí TiRaR MáS FOToS. He also headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, delivering a performance centered on Puerto Rican culture that drew more than 128 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
