Ky-Mani Marley Expresses Interest In Playing Bob Marley In Upcoming Biopic

Ky-Mani Marley, Bob Marley’s son and actor, has expressed an interest in playing his father in the upcoming Paramount Pictures biopic based on the Reggae legend’s life and career.

The film is currently in development with King Richard director Reinaldo Marcus Green at the helm, while Bob’s widow Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, and Cedella Marley will produce on behalf of Tuff Gong. With the release of a casting call, fans had clamored for one of Bob Marley’s sons or even a grandson to play the role of the music icon, who died in 1981 at age 36.

Ky-Mani Marley, 45, who is best known for his role as Biggs in Shottas (2002), thinks he would be ideal.  “Absolutely! A di dream role dat!” Ky-Mani told the Jamaica Observer. “It would be a joy an’ a pleasure.”

“Di authenticity, di whole energy, di vibe, everything. Who better to play him than me?” he added.

The casting call, released in June 2021, had read: “(Male, 30’s, Black/Mixed Race) A pioneer of reggae music and a Jamaican icon, we follow the Jamaican singer, songwriter, and musician’s life and career. He was a man full of fight, soul, and pride. He infused his music with a sense of spirituality and political activism, striving to leave a global impact as well as a personal one with the people he loved.”

No actor has yet been named to play the lead role, although DancehallMag compiled a list of ten picks.

In the meantime, the Rule My Heart singer Ky-Mani has been keeping himself busy in showbiz as he brings the filming of Vendetta (its working title), to a close. Currently, in Miami, Ky-mani stars as Ice in the movie, where he is also the screenplay writer, executive director, and co-director (with Antoine Smith).

“Dis is di first script dat has come to life. Dis project has surpassed my expectations,” Marley noted. “It has a different storyline from Shottas but still have di action, still have di grit.”

While not a box office smash, Shottas, a 2002 drama that also starred Spragga Benz and Paul Campbell, retains a massive cult following and continues to do the cable channel circuit. “Shottas surprise everyone. No one on dat set could imagine that Shottas would be what it is today,” said Ky-Mani. “It’s hard to believe Shottas was done almost 20 years ago because literally every day someone mentions Shottas to me.”

Ky-Mani Marley has released seven albums since Like Father, Like Son which was released in 1996. Maestro, his last album, came out in 2015.