March 7, 2008, 7:50 am
Bob Marley's widow, Rita Marley, has inked a deal with film producers The Weinstein Co. to develop, produce and distribute the first ever biopic on the Reggae icon. The film will be based on Rita’s 2004 autobiography, No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley, and screenwriter Lizzie Borden has been hired to pen the film adaptation. Rita Marley is serving as the movie’s executive producer.
While no casting decisions have been made, Rita has already nominated Lauryn Hill to portray her. Hill is married to Bob Marley’s son from another relationship, Rohan. "Lauryn would be ideal," said Marley. "She sees my life as her life." She also said that her grandson Stefan is "the spitting image" of Bob and would be perfect to play the role.
Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter says that the musician will be played by two actors, one portraying him at age 15 and another as an adult. The option of Marley's original songs, covers sung by an actor or a Ray-style blend of the two are all possible for the soundtrack.
The untitled project is tentatively set to begin filming early next year with a projected release date of late 2009. If that is the case, it will arrive before Martin Scorsese's documentary on the performer, which is set for release on what would be Marley's 65th birthday: February 6, 2010.