Bad Bunny is starring in the historical drama “Porto Rico,” marking his first leading film role after memorable appearances in “Bullet Train” with Brad Pitt and director Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing.”
René Pérez Joglar, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rapper known as Residente, is directing “Porto Rico” in his feature debut. Edward Norton, Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen will co-star in the movie, described as an “epic Caribbean western” and “gripping narrative inspired by true events” about Puerto Rico’s origins. An official logline hasn’t been revealed.
Pérez Joglar co-wrote the film with Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Birdman” and “The Revenant.” Alejandro González Iñárritu, the influential director of “Birdman” and “The Revenant,” is executive producing “Porto Rico.”
“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,” Pérez Joglar said. “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”
“Porto Rico” will be produced by Pérez Joglar and Erick Douât via 1868 Studios, a joint venture created by Pérez Joglar, Sony Music Latin-Iberia, and Sony Music Vision to develop, produce and distribute original content centered on “authentic, culturally driven storytelling.”
Norton and Bill Migliore, alongside Michael Bederman, will produce for Class 5 Films. Their company has produced features and documentaries including “The Painted Veil,” “Motherless Brooklyn,” and “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama.”
“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 said. “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.”
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
“Porto Rico” is backed by Live Nation Studios, Class 5 Films, and strategic partners including the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, and Noah Assad. UTA Independent Film Group is representing sales.
February has been busy for Bad Bunny, who headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, a joyous celebration of Puerto Rican culture that featured Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. His performance reached an average of 128.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen, ranking one of the top marks for any halftime performance. Earlier in the month, Bad Bunny made Grammys history as the first Spanish-language artist to win album of the year with his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
From Variety US