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Bad Bunny takes on a leading role in
Residente's directorial debut, 'PORTO RICO'
[February 19, 2026]
By LINDSEY BAHR
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. |
Bad Bunny appears at the 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on
Feb. 1, 2026, left, and René Pérez Joglar, also known as Residente,
appears at the premiere of "Caught Stealing" in New York on Aug. 26,
2025. (AP Photo) |
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“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.”
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