Residente Wraps ‘Porto Rico’ With Bad Bunny, Edward Norton, Viggo Mortensen and Star-Studded Ensemble
The Puerto Rican rapper makes his feature directing debut with an ambitious historical epic exploring colonialism, rebellion and Puerto Rican identity. The production has completed 55 days of filming in the Dominican Republic.
HOLLYWOOD LATINO — René Pérez Joglar, better known to millions as Residente, has officially wrapped principal photography on Porto Rico, his highly anticipated feature directorial debut starring global music superstar Bad Bunny alongside an international ensemble that includes Edward Norton, Viggo Mortensen, Rubén Blades, Daniel Brühl and Richard Gadd.
The ensemble also features Rhenzy Feliz, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Alberto Guerra, Marcel Ruiz, Arian Cartaya, Óscar Jaenada, Carmen Machi and Luis Tosar.
The production completed 55 days of filming in the Dominican Republic on November 4, with Residente confirming the milestone through a behind-the-scenes social media post announcing the end of shooting. The film represents one of the most ambitious cinematic undertakings by a Puerto Rican musician in recent years.
A Caribbean Western With Hollywood Heavyweights
Described as an epic Caribbean western inspired by true events, Porto Rico examines the island's turbulent colonial history during the late 19th century.
The screenplay, co-written by Residente and Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), draws inspiration from José Maldonado Román, better known as Águila Blanca, a Puerto Rican revolutionary who resisted colonial rule.
The story explores Puerto Rico's struggle for identity and the political transformation surrounding the Spanish-American War of 1898, when control of the island passed from Spain to the United States.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu serves as executive producer, with acclaimed cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle behind the camera. Live Nation Studios, 1868 Studios and Class 5 Films are backing the production.
The film was shot in the Dominican Republic after production obstacles prevented filming in Puerto Rico, a development Residente publicly criticized.
For Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the production marks his first leading role in a feature film following appearances in Bullet Train, Caught Stealing and Happy Gilmore 2.
A release date has not yet been announced.
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