Bad Bunny takes on a leading role in Residente’s directorial debut, ‘PORTO RICO’

René Pérez Joglar, also known as Residente, appears at the premiere of "Caught Stealing" in New York on Aug. 26, 2025, left, and Bad Bunny appears at the 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo)

Puerto Rican artists Residente and Bad Bunny are teaming up to tell the story of their home in an original historical drama.

René Pérez Joglar, the Grammy winner known professionally as Residente, will make his directorial debut with “PORTO RICO,” filmmakers and producers said Wednesday. Bad Bunny, the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to lead a starry cast which currently includes Viggo Mortensen, Javier Bardem and Edward Norton.

“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,” Residente said in a statement. “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”

“PORTO RICO” is being described as an “epic Caribbean Western and historical drama” inspired by true events. Residente co-wrote the script with Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind “Birdman.”

It will mark the first leading role for Bad Bunny, who has appeared in several supporting roles in movies recently including “Happy Gilmore 2” and “Caught Stealing,” and who recently made waves with his historic Super Bowl halftime performance, which highlighted Puerto Rican culture and history.

The film has a bevy of power players behind it, including Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who is executive producing, and backing from Live Nation Entertainment. No details were available about when the film might shoot or be released.

Norton signed on to produce as well, saying in a statement that the 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.”

He added: “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.”

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press