Bad Bunny enters his leading man era with first lead role in historical drama about Puerto Rico

Fresh from his electric performance at this year’s Super Bowl, Bad Bunny has now revealed his next big career move as the singer prepares to enter his leading man era in a brand new film role.

The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter (whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) has been announced as the star of the upcoming flick Porto Rico, a lavish feature-length historical drama set in his home country.

Directed by first-time director René Pérez Joglar, (who may be better known to fans as the rapper Residente), the film will mark Bad Bunny’s first leading film role, and will feature a whole host of A-list supporting cast members.

According to Deadline, Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton and Javier Bardem have all signed on for the project, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu also on board as an executive producer.

Fresh from his Grammy win, Bad Bunny will soon be appearing on the silver screen (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

While the film will mark Bad Bunny’s first leading film role, it is far from the first time he has flexed his acting chops, with the musical genius having made his screen debut back in 2021 with F9 and Narcos: Mexico.

Additionally, he appeared in the 2022 ensemble action film Bullet Train and 2023's Cassandro opposite Gael García Bernal, with his most recent performance having been in Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing.

This particular project however, holds a special place in both Bad Bunny and director Joglar’s hearts.

“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,” Joglar, 47, told Deadline.

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

The upcoming movie will be a historical drama set in Puerto Rico (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

“This 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,” Norton, 56, added in his own statement.

The four-time Oscar nominee went on to say, “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.”

Bad Bunny’s exciting new project comes just weeks after he divided audiences with his lively celebration of Latinx culture live on TV during the Super Bowl.

In a historic first for the annual sporting event, Bunny performed his entire set from start to finish in his native tongue Spanish, a move which drew a mixed response from fans tuning in, particularly due to the lack of subtitling.

Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga share a dance during the performance (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The show, which took place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, saw Bunny joined by a whole host of famous names, including Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, Cardi B and Jessica Alba to name just a few.

Performing a set of his biggest hits, Bunny also channelled his nation’s history and spirit in a visual spectacular - with one standout moment being when a couple tied the knot live during the show.