The untitled Bob Marley biopic currently in production at Paramount Pictures has just found its lead star. Deadline reports that One Night in Miami star Kingsley Ben-Adir has signed on to play the reggae legend in the film. Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard) is also on board to direct the movie using a screenplay by Zach Baylin, Frank E. Flowers, and Terence Winter. Robert Teitel will produce alongside Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, and Cedella Marley on behalf of Tuff Gong.
Ben-Adir drew a lot of critical praise for his role as Malcolm X in Regina King’s One Night in Miami. The actor also played another iconic figure as former president Barack Obama in Showtime’s limited series The Comey Rule. Also well known for his role in The OA, Ben-Adir’s other work includes recurring roles Vera, Pleaky Blinders, and High Fidelity, and he’ll be featured in the upcoming Disney+ series Secret Invasion.
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Bob Marley, whose name is synonymous with reggae music, has long been one of the world’s most beloved and influential artists. He left us far too soon when he died at the age of 36 in 1981, but his legacy lives on through the music he made which gets played by fans all over the world to this day. Some of the singer’s many hits include “One Love,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “Jammin,’” “Buffalo Soldier,” “Redemption Song,” and more.
There have been several documentaries delving into the life and career of Marley, but this new project at Paramount is the first biopic to be made about the reggae icon. The role of Marley in the movie was said to be very coveted in Hollywood as the director and producers tested dozens of actors for the role. Ben-Adir reportedly started lobbying for the role of Bob Marley in recent weeks and seems to be exactly what the filmmakers were looking for.
Many Music Legends Have Upcoming Biopics In Development
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It was just recently announced that a Michael Jackson biopic, in development from producer Graham King, was moving forward at Lionsgate. The film, along with the Bob Marley biopic, are just a couple of the many, many movies if their type that are now in the works. A small handful of the other music icons that have new movies in the works are Buddy Holly, Amy Winehouse, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Cher, Whitney Houston, The Bee Gees, Ronnie Spector, Celine Dion, and Ozzy Osbourne.
The rise in musician biopics has a lot to do with the successes brought in by these types of movies in recent years. Films like the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and the Elton John biopic Rocketman have proven to be strong critical hits in addition to striking big at the box office. The hope is clearly that other movies about beloved musicians can do just as well, but that will also have to depend upon getting the right people on brought to bring thees films to life.
