The sixth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
After appearing in the Sony-produced film Bullet Train (2022), rapper Bad Bunny was hired to play the titular role in the SSU film El Muerto. The film was given a January 12, 2024 release date by Sony in the CinemaCon 2022. By October that year, the director and screenwriter were finalized, however in May 2023 Bad Bunny's publicist stated that the film was at a "standstill" and "behind development". Following the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and Bad Bunny's touring schedule, Sony pulled the film from its January 2024 release date, and Bad Bunny removed himself from the project by July that year. In January 2024, it was reported that the film had re-entered production without a confirmed lead actor.
After Sony executives were impressed by the performance of singer Bad Bunny in their film Bullet Train they became interested in having him star in another high profile film.
The first Latino character to lead a live-action Marvel film.
The project was announced at Sony's CinemaCon panel.