“Bob Marley: One Love” Trailer Unveils Kingsley Ben-Adir as the Jamaican Reggae Legend
Bob Marley has finally received the biopic treatment, joining the likes of Elvis, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John. The film, “Bob Marley: One Love,” is set to hit theaters on January 12, 2024.
Directed by Ronaldo Markus Green (“King Richard”), the film was shot in England and Jamaica, featuring sites like Trench Town and Kingston, where the Wailers formed. The biopic encompasses Bob Marley’s life, including the attack on his home and studio by gunmen in December 1976.
Let’s delve into the details of Bob Marley’s biopic.
Who portrays Bob Marley in the film?
In the film, Kingsley Ben-Adir, known for his role as the antagonist Scar in the current Disney+ series “Marvel’s Secret Invasion,” takes on the role of reggae legend Bob Marley.
Prior to this, Ben-Adir has played prominent roles such as Malcolm X in “One Night in Miami” and former President Barack Obama in the limited series “The Comey Rule.”
Cast of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’
Lashana Lynch (“The Woman King,” “No Time to Die”) co-stars as Bob Marley’s wife, Rita.
Bob and Rita Marley’s son and co-producer of the film, Ziggy Marley, said in a statement, “The cast and crew, which includes several Jamaican actors, provide a unique cinematic experience that captures the essence of the legacy.” in a press release.
Among them is Aston Barrett Jr., son of Familyman Barrett, the bassist for the Wailers, who passed away in 2019. Young Barrett will portray his father in the film and carry on his father’s legacy, leading the band and playing the drums. As a vocalist, he is currently on tour.
Ziggy Marley stated in a note posted on Instagram, “Nothing happens before its time, and the time has come for my father Bob Marley’s story to be told in a theatrical biopic release in 2024.This movie will allow you to experience for the first time what it was like to live with the myth, including his anguish, misery, joy, and liberation..”
Co-producers also include Rita Marley and their daughter, Cedella Marley, along with Brad Pitt, Robert Teitel (“Famous,” “Soul Food”), Jeremy Kleiner (“Moonlight”), Dedra Gardner (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). Orly Marley, Ziggy’s wife, is an executive producer, along with Richard Havens (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Matt Solodki, the CEO of Tuff Gong Worldwide, who oversees Ziggy Marley’s record label.
Trailer for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’
Can’t wait until January 2024 to learn about Bob Marley’s life through the film? Try this!
The documentary “Marley” was released in 2012 (available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play for rent; free with ads on YouTube), covering the life of the music legend and providing insights that amazed his children during the film’s production. Alongside archival interviews with Marley and new interviews with those who knew him, you’ll also get to see some rare performance footage.
During that time, Ziggy Marley spoke about the film, which he executive produced with Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. He said, “For those who think of Bob as just a guy who smoked weed, they can understand it more deeply by watching it. I definitely want my children to know about their grandfather.”
Bob Marley has finally received the biopic treatment, joining the ranks of Elvis, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John. The film, “Bob Marley: One Love,” is set to release on January 12, 2024, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami”) as the reggae icon. Lashana Lynch (“The Woman King,” “No Time to Die”) co-stars as his wife, Rita.
Directed by Ronaldo Markus Green (“King Richard”), the film was shot in England and Jamaica, including notable locations like Trench Town and Kingston, where the Wailers originated. The biopic encompasses Bob Marley’s life, including the attack on their home and studio by gunmen in December 1976.
In the recently released teaser trailer for the film, that incident plays a significant role. In the trailer, Marley (Ben-Adir) says, “My life is not important to me,” when asked why he would leave London and return to Jamaica 16 months after the attack. “My life is for the people.”
Ziggy Marley, Bob and Rita Marley’s son and co-producer of the film, stated in a statement, “The cast and crew, which includes several Jamaican actors, provide a unique cinematic experience that captures the essence of the legacy,” in a press release.
Among them is Aston Barrett Jr., son of Familyman Barrett, the bassist for the Wailers, who passed away in 2019. Young Barrett will portray his father in the film, continuing his father’s legacy and leading the band while playing the drums. As a vocalist, he is currently on tour.
Ziggy Marley expressed in a note posted on Instagram, “Nothing happens before its time, and the time has come for my father Bob Marley’s story to be told in a theatrical biopic release in 2024. This film will show you, for the first time, what it was like to live around the myth, to feel his pain, his suffering, his joy, and his liberation.”
Co-producers also include Rita Marley and their daughter, Cedella Marley, along with Brad Pitt, Robert Teitel (“Famous,” “Soul Food”), Jeremy Kleiner (“Moonlight”), Dedra Gardner (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). Orly Marley, Ziggy’s wife, is an executive producer, along with Richard Havens (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Matt Solodki, the CEO of Tuff Gong Worldwide, who oversees Ziggy Marley’s record label.
