Who shoud play
Bob Marley?
in the upcoming biopic
The silver screen adaptation of Marley's story is finally forging ahead.
The Paramount Pictures film will be produced by Bob's widow, and children Ziggy and Cedella, while Reinaldo Marcus Green (seen below) will direct.
Will it boil down to A-list talent, or will producers opt for a more accurate and authentic vibe?
So, who qualifies to portray the Reggae Legend?
Marley's Grandsons
What better way than to tap the talent pool of the 2nd generation Marleys including Skip, 24, Jo Mersa, 29, and Elijah Marley, 11. Skip bears a striking resemblance to his grandfather.
HIS
SONS
From Ziggy's looks and vocals, Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley’s musical prowess to Ky-Mani Marley’s singing vibrato, each of Marley’s seven sons shares a unique and uncanny trait with their father.
Michael Ealy
American actor Michael Ealy may be The Perfect Guy but is he the man for the job? He and the Get Up, Stand Up star share a bi-racial background, and the blue-eyed star boasts an impressive list of acting credits in film and on television.
With a coveted family cosign and politically charged catalogue to match, the odds could be stacked in Kabaka Pyramid’s favour.
Jamie Foxx
Some years ago, it was widely reported that Foxx, who portrayed Ray Charles, was cast as the Reggae legend in a since-shelved project by a French filmmaker.
LENNY KRAVITZ
His catalogue is mostly rock, blues and soul, but he’s never lost touch of his roots or his ties with the Marley family, even after he cut his dreadlocks that initially got him labeled as a wannabe Bob Marley.
JAMAICAN TALENT
The No-Maddz
If the producers are looking for seasoned Jamaican talent they need look no further than the roots reggae duo No-Maddz, comprising Sheldon “Sheppie” Shepherd and Everaldo “Evie” Creary.
Kadeem ‘Kenzic’ Wilson
What’s the actor, director, reggae recording artist, and Prime Minister Youth Award recepient’s dream role? “Bob Marley,” he proudly told Tallawah Magazine last year.
“I can give a good representation of a handsome, smart, hardworking, troublesome Jamaican man”
- Dale Elliot Jr., Jamaican actor
Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino
Donald Glover may have the close-cropped dreads and piercing stare of the young Gong circa Catch A Fire , but the nod goes deeper than aesthetics.
Luka Sabbat
American model, actor and cultural influencer Luka Sabbat is Gen Z’s ‘too cool for school’ poster boy who also looks a lot like Marley.
WILDCARD
You can’t please everyone.
but we know the Marley estate is unfailing in their bid to champion and lionize the trailblazer.
Time will tell whether or not these predictions manifest, but regardless, we can still hope for an economic as well as an authentic payoff.