Global music superstar Benito Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, will star as the lead actor in the directorial debut of Puerto Rican rapper René Pérez Joglar, popularly known as Residente. 

The film ‘Porto Rico,’ is an epic Caribbean western and historical drama with supporting cast including Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton, and Javier Bardem, and Oscars winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, attached as executive producer.

The screenplay was co-written by Residente and Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris. 

When the film was announced in 2023, it was described as a historical drama inspired by the life of Puerto Rican revolutionary José Maldonado Román, also known as Águila Blanca (White Eagle). 

The late 19th-century story follows Maldonado Román’s fight against colonialism as he led a group of ex-convicts in a bid to declare Puerto Rico’s identity.

The project marks a major acting milestone for Bad Bunny, who continues to expand his presence in Hollywood. 

While he previously appeared in films such as  ‘Bullet Train,’ and ‘ Caught Stealing,’ ‘Porto Rico’ will experience him for the first time as a lead actor.

His casting comes during a standout period in his career. 

The Puerto Rican star was Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally in 2025.

He also delivered a show-stopping performance during the Super Bowl halftime, with over 104 million views on YouTube.

Expressing his joy in an Instagram post, Residente described the production as a deeply personal, lifelong ambition.

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

He added that the story was written over many years, shaped between tours, life experiences, and artistic evolution, describing the film as the most ambitious undertaking of his career.

The 33-time Grammy winner  also expressed admiration for the cast, noting his disbelief at working alongside actors he had long watched on screen, including Mortensen, Bardem and Norton. 

Speaking on Bad Bunny’s involvement, he said the casting was driven by emotional authenticity rather than performance alone.

“I’m not looking for an actor, I’m looking for someone who hurts Puerto Rico as much as me and who is as proud as I am when they sing our true anthem,” he said.

The filmmaker further credited Iñárritu as a mentor in cinema and thanked Dinelaris for his guidance in screenwriting. 

He also acknowledged Puerto Rican historians, filmmakers, investors and members of his production team who contributed to bringing the project to life.

He also paid a tribute to his homeland, thanking Puerto Rico for shaping his identity and inspiring the film.