Step aside, Robert Downey Jr., there's about to be a new Marvel superstar.

Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra has revealed that he believes Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, who performs under the stage name Bad Bunny, will become "a big Marvel star" after fans see him in the titular role in the studio's upcoming film El Muerto. Speaking at the premiere of Bullet Train, Vinciquerra praised both Ocasio and Aaron Taylor-Johnso, who star in supporting roles in the upcoming action film. "We are thrilled to have both of them, Bad Bunny is going to be a big Marvel star and Aaron Taylor is now working on Kraven, so he is Kraven," the Sony CEO said in a video posted to The Hollywood Reporter's social media accounts. "So we’re really excited about that and hoping to see this movie [Bullet Train] really launch their careers."

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El Muerto was announced at 2022's CinemaCon. Ocasio will play Marcus Estrada de la García/El Muerto, a masked wrestler whose mystical face-covering grants him superpowers. El Muerto will mark the actor's first time leading a film, as his previous acting credits include a cameo appearance in F9, a recurring role in Narcos: Mexico, and a supporting role in Bullet Train. Ocasio will also be the first live-action Latino lead in a Marvel movie, which he has said makes the upcoming role more special to him. "Sometimes, I can’t believe it yet, but it’s the result of my work," the actor said. "The way I am, the way I work, I’m so proud, very happy about this character, this opportunity to be the first Latino. It’s not about 'I'm gonna be the first Latino making a role,' it's gonna be about the first Latino main character, that's the important thing. So it's something huge, and it will be epic. I know that the people are gonna be proud about my work."

Sony's Spider-Man Universe Continues to Expand

El Muerto will be the sixth installment in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, the studio's line of live-action Marvel spinoff films focusing on Spider-Man's enemies and other supporting characters. Venom launched the SSU in 2018, followed by Venom: Let There Be Carnage in 2021 and Morbius earlier this year. Kraven the Hunter, starring Taylor-Johnson as the titular Spider-Man foe, recently wrapped filming while Madame Web is currently in production in Boston. Those Marvel films are expected to open in theaters in 2023 on January 13 and October 6, respectively.

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A third Venom film is also in development with Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy co-writing the screenplay. Hardy will also return as Eddie Brock/Venom in the upcoming sequel and will reportedly earn $20 million for reprising the Marvel role. No director or additional cast members have been announced at this time.

El Muerto is scheduled to open in theaters on Jan. 12, 2024.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter