Bad Bunny's Spider-Man Spin-Off Film 'El Muerto' Removed From Sony's Release Calender Amid WGA Strike

Rapper Bad Bunny's anticipated Marvel live-action film, "El Muerto," has reportedly been delayed due to challenges posed by Bad Bunny's touring schedule and the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

Bad Bunny, known for his musical success and acting endeavors in projects like "Bullet Train" and "Narcos: Mexico," was set to portray Juan Carlos Estrada Sanchez, an anti-hero and the son of a luchador who inherits the superhuman powers of El Muerto.

Keep on reading to learn more. 

In an exciting development for the Spider-Man Universe, Bad Bunny had been selected by Sony Pictures to take on the starring role in "El Muerto," which translates to "The Dead One" in English.

Directed by Jonas Cuarón and with a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the "Spider-Man" spinoff was initially slated for release on January 12, 2024. 

This highly anticipated production was poised to make history as the first Marvel live-action film featuring a Latino character in the lead role, marking a significant milestone for representation, according to Deadline.

However, due to various challenges, "El Muerto" was unexpectedly removed from Sony's release schedule on Wednesday. Bad Bunny's demanding touring schedule and the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America strike were the primary reasons for this delay.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, brings his real-life passion for wrestling to the role. He will portray Juan Carlos Estrada Sanchez, the central character in Marvel's lore. Juan Carlos is described as an anti-hero and the son of a luchador (Mexican professional wrestler), who is next in line to inherit the ancient superhuman powers of El Muerto.

According to Variety's description, El Muerto's extraordinary powers originate from a sacred mask passed down through generations.

Bad Bunny caught the attention of Sony executives through his standout performance in the action comedy film "Bullet Train" (2022), where he shared the screen with renowned actors such as Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Brian Tyree Henry. 

Evil Bunny appeared at Sony's CinemaCon panel in Las Vegas in April 2022 to announce the film. According to Entertainment Weekly, Bad Bunny expressed his enthusiasm for the character of El Muerto during his appearance at the CinemaCon.

He said, "It's amazing. It's incredible. I love wrestling. I grew up watching it, and now I'm a wrestler. This is why I love this character. I think it's the perfect role for me; it will be epic."

Although Bad Bunny has gained widespread recognition for his musical prowess, he has also steadily built his acting portfolio. In addition to his memorable role in "Bullet Train," he has showcased his talents on the small screen with a recurring role in the acclaimed series "Narcos: Mexico" (2021).

Furthermore, Bad Bunny has ventured into the world of professional wrestling, making notable appearances at prestigious events such as Wrestlemania 37 (2021), Royal Rumble (2022), and WWE SmackDown (2023).

Given the complexities arising from Bad Bunny's hectic tour commitments and the ongoing WGA strike, the studio faces significant challenges in determining a new release date for "El Muerto."

With "El Muerto" temporarily removed from the Sony schedule, the studio has filled that slot with a different project. "The Book of Clarence," directed by Jeymes Samuel and starring actor LaKeith Stanfield, has taken its place and is now set to be released on September 22, 2023.

Bad Bunny's meteoric rise to fame can be traced back to 2016 when he released his breakthrough hit "Diles," which caught the attention of Hear This Music and paved the way for a promising collaboration.

In the following years, his popularity soared as he released chart-topping tracks like "Soy Peor" and collaborated with esteemed artists such as Farruko, Karol G, Ozuna, and J Balvin.

However, it was in 2018 that Bad Bunny truly solidified his position in the music industry. He achieved a breakthrough with his notable feature on Cardi B's smash hit "I Like It" alongside J Balvin. The infectious track reached the number-one spot on the charts and propelled Bad Bunny into the international spotlight. 

Bad Bunny has since continued to captivate audiences with his unique sound and artistic vision. He has released four studio albums since 2018. 

He unveiled his highly acclaimed album "Un Verano Sin Ti" in 2022, which has now become the best-selling non-English-language album in U.S. history, selling over 3.8 million units as of January 2023 per Hits magazine.