First Look At Diego Boneta as Fidel Castro in Upcoming Film ‘Killing Castro’ Starring Al Pacino

November 12, 2026 | WMV Entertainment

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has unveiled the first official look at actor Diego Boneta portraying Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in the upcoming historical drama Killing Castro, which is scheduled to hit theaters on December 11, 2026, before arriving on digital platforms on December 18.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of acclaimed music video director Eif Rivera and features an ensemble cast led by Boneta, Academy Award winner Al Pacino, Xolo Maridueña and KiKi Layne.

50 Cent who is executive producer along with DJ Khaled, shared the film’s promotional poster on Instagram, offering audiences a striking first glimpse of Boneta’s transformation into the former Cuban president. The artwork depicts the actor wearing Castro’s signature military uniform and cap while smoking a cigar, with clouds of smoke surrounding his face.

“Here’s your first look at @diego as FIDEL CASTRO in director @eifrivera’s directorial debut, #KillingCastro!” 50 Cent wrote, announcing the December theatrical and digital release dates.

The promotional artwork also prominently credits 50 Cent and music mogul DJ Khaled, who is among the film’s producers.

A Historical Thriller Set Against Castro’s 1960 Visit to New York

Killing Castro is inspired by events surrounding Fidel Castro’s historic visit to New York City in September 1960, when the Cuban revolutionary leader traveled to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

The visit took place during a period of escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States, just one year after Castro’s revolutionary movement overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista.

During his stay, Castro famously relocated to the Hotel Theresa in Harlem, where his presence attracted international attention and became a defining moment in the history of Cuban-American relations.

The film uses this politically charged backdrop to explore an alleged assassination plot targeting Castro, bringing together elements of political intrigue, espionage, organized crime and Cold War tensions.

Boneta takes on the central role of Castro, portraying one of the twentieth century’s most controversial political figures during a pivotal moment in his rise to international prominence.

Al Pacino Leads Star-Studded Supporting Cast

Alongside Diego Boneta, Killing Castro boasts a major Hollywood ensemble featuring Al Pacino, Xolo Maridueña, KiKi Layne, Alexander Ludwig, Ron Livingston, Kendrick Sampson, Nicole Beharie, Logan Marshall-Green, Titus Welliver, Frankie Faison and Paul Ben-Victor.

The project brings together established Hollywood veterans and a younger generation of actors for a story rooted in one of the most turbulent periods of modern political history.

The film is directed by Eif Rivera, who has built a career in music video production and worked within the hip-hop entertainment industry before making the transition to feature filmmaking.

The screenplay is credited to Colin Bateman, Thomas DeGrezia and Leon Hendrix, with Brad Feinstein, Christina Weiss Lurie and DJ Khaled serving as producers.

Production companies behind the project include Romulus Entertainment, Fourth and Twenty-Eight Films and CaliWood Pictures, while Lionsgate is handling distribution.

Zak Mulligan served as cinematographer, with editing by Andrew Mondshein.

From Tribeca Festival to December Theatrical Release

Al Pacino

The film was first announced in December 2023, with principal photography beginning that same month.

In September 2025, Killing Castro was screened in the industry market at the Toronto International Film Festival before making its festival premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 9, 2026.

With a running time of 113 minutes, the historical drama is now preparing for its wider commercial release.

The latest promotional push, led by 50 Cent’s social media announcement, places renewed attention on Boneta’s portrayal of Castro and Rivera’s transition from music videos to feature-length cinema.

The film also represents another intersection between the music and film industries, with major hip-hop personalities helping bring a historical political drama to audiences.

Release Date

Killing Castro is scheduled to open in United States theaters on December 11, 2026, followed by a digital release on December 18, 2026, through Lionsgate.

With Al Pacino among its leading stars, Diego Boneta portraying Fidel Castro and Eif Rivera making his feature directorial debut, the film brings a dramatic interpretation of a significant Cold War-era episode to the big screen.