\n\tResidente<\/a> (born Ren\u00e9 P\u00e9rez Joglar) will make his feature film directorial debut with Porto Rico<\/em>, a historical drama starring Bad Bunny<\/a> in his first leading role, it was announced on Wednesday (Feb. 18).<\/p>\n \n\tDescribed in a press release as an \u201cepic Caribbean western,\u201d the film will also feature performances by Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men<\/em>) and Academy Award nominees Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises<\/em>) and Edward Norton (American History X<\/em>, A Complete Unknown<\/em>), with more cast members to be announced.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019ve dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. The true story of Puerto Rico has always been surrounded by controversy,\u201d Residente said in a statement. \u201cThis film is a reaffirmation of who we are, told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tCowritten by Residente and Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman<\/em>), Porto Rico<\/em><\/em> \u201ccombines a large-scale historical narrative with a visceral and lyrical approach, in a powerful story inspired by true events,\u201d according to the press release.<\/p>\n \n\tResidente and Erick Dou\u00e2t are producing through 1868 Studios. Norton and Bill Migliore, along with Michael Bederman, are producing for Class 5 Films. The film is backed by Live Nation Studios, Class 5 Films and strategic partners, including the Kwanza Jones & Jos\u00e9 E. Feliciano Initiative, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, and Noah Assad. Mexican Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. I\u00f1\u00e1rritu serves as executive producer along with Scott Budnick and his label 1Community, Mike Novogratz, Sukey Novogratz, Jos\u00e9 E. Feliciano, Kwanza Jones, Henry R. Mu\u00f1oz III, and Noah Assad. UTA Independent Film Group is representing international sales.<\/p>\n \n\tRegarding his decision to produce the project, Norton said in a statement: \u201cThis film sits in a tradition of films we deeply love, from The Godfather<\/em> to Gangs of New York<\/em>, 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. Everyone knows what a poet of language and rhythm Ren\u00e9 is. Now they\u2019re 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\u2019s roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that\u2019s been waiting for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThroughout his career, Residente \u2014 winner of 29 Latin Grammys and four Grammys as part of the duo Calle 13 and as a solo artist \u2014 has directed most of his music videos, including the award-winning \u201cAtr\u00e9vete-te-te,\u201d \u201cLa Perla,\u201d \u201cCalma Pueblo,\u201d \u201cThis Is Not America\u201d and \u201c313,\u201d as well as short films such as Quiero Ser Baladista<\/em> and Bajo y Bater\u00eda<\/em>, and his self-titled documentary Residente<\/em>. Porto Rico<\/em> <\/em>will be his first fiction feature film.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2024, the artist made his acting debut in the independent film In the Summers<\/em>, by Alessandra Lacorazza, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the grand jury prize.<\/p>\n \n\tBad Bunny, meanwhile, has appeared in Hollywood productions such as Bullet Train<\/em> (2022), Happy Gilmore 2<\/em> (2025) and Caught Stealing<\/em> (2025), as well as Cassandro<\/em> (2023). He has also made multiple guest appearances on Saturday Night Live<\/em>.<\/p>\n
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