I’m glad there’s going to be a Bob Marley biopic, though I’m ambivalent about his widow, Rita Marley, being so closely involved. Not because she’ll present a sanitized portrait of her late husband; she seems committed to a warts-and-all portrayal. Rather, I’m worried about her casting choices. She thinks she should be played by daughter-in-law Lauryn Hill; as impressive as the Fugees singer was in Sister Act 2, I’m not sure she’s, um, present enough to take on this weighty role. Rita also thinks her grandson Stefan should play the teenage Bob, though the boy has apparently never been in a movie before. At least she hasn’t yet suggested an actor to play the adult Bob. My pick would be Don Cheadle, but I’m open to suggestions, whether or not Mrs. Marley is too.
Who should play Bob Marley?
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Comments (1-30) of 60 Add your comment
How about Ben Harper? The man makes good music, and he’s not really an actor either, but being a fan of his, I know that he could find the essence of Bob Marley within himself and the music. Gary Dourdan of CSI would be another good choice. He’s also musically inclined, and I’m sure he could rock that role. Rita Marley may prove to be a bit trickly, but if I were the director and casting director, I would consider Sophie Okonedo.
I think Mos Def would be a great choice for the role.
Agree with New Yorker as Gary Dourdan (Warrick- CSI) is a dead ringer and my first thought. And he’s an accomplished musician, playing several instruments (not sure about his singing voice though…)
I agree — Mos Def. Or, if he’s not available, how about Chiwetel Ejiofor?
jason castro, done.
I think that Chiwetel Ejiofor could do great things with this role. He is versatile and talented, and I think that he has a natural swagger that Marley seemed to have — confident without being cocky.
I vote for Lenny Kravitz! The man can sing and it way too sexy!
cate blanchett.
Jesse L. Martin. We know the man can sing AND act.
Fred Armisen
Jason Castro!
KIDDING.
I think Djimon Hounsou would be a good Marley.
I agree- Mos Def or Chiwetel Ejiofor. Don Cheadle is great, but too old, unfortunately. He is nearly 10 years older than Marley when he died. That Gary Dourdan has the look, but I’ve never seen his work. This could get interesting.
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s good, because he excells in his roles. I also like Alex Dessert (the black guy in ‘Swingers’). Alex is a decent enough actor, has proven he can look natural in dreads, and used to be the lead singer of a ska/reggae band.
Agreed about Lauren Hill though. She seems a little space-casey for the role.
Denzel Washington…nuff said
Mos Def or Jesse Martin are great choices. But I’ll admit that my first instinct was Jason Castro (who, for those who don’t watch American Idol, is a hippy white guy with dreads).
My first thought was Terrence Howard. But after looking at the pic of Marley, I don’t know. He’d have to lose some weight.
lol, Anna B. I was thinking the same thing. Terrance Howard looks the part. Alex Dessert? When I see him in dreds I still think PCU.
can we just cast mos def by all the votes he’ll get on this comment board? i think don cheadle is too old…or maybe just too…seasoned. denzel is certainly too old.
Y’all are probably going to hate me, and I confess to not being a huge Bob Marley fan… but as acting goes, Corbin Bleu is actually a good actor, and he can sing very well.
He might be too young to play adult Marley, but he could do a decent young-ish job. He really is a talent.
Annie B., I was TOTALLY going to say Jason Castro !!
C’mon! Andre Royo (Bubbles from “The Wire”) would make a tremendous Marley.
Gary Dourdan would be great!!! Love him! but Chewitel would be better.. love him in serentity ..will he/can he sing? ..Please as much as we all love Lauryn Hill and wish she would come back with another fantastic album like Reeducation.. do not cast her.. she is talented and can act but would not be right. Rita should hire professional casting people to (help?)cast this role but should also have a vote in the final decision. Her inexperience in casting or casting the wrong person could ruin what could potentially be a fantastic movie. No Denzel- too old..
I would pay the $ to see this movie though.. Soundtrack will be great!.. ONE LOVE, y’all…
i totally agree with your pick of Jesse L Martin, but he’s playing Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic. that would probably be too much black musician biopic typecasting.
I second Mos Def
I totally agree w/ Mos Def or love the Lenny K suggestion, but Lenny may not be as good an actor as Mos Def! I hope the Marley family takes their time and chooses wisely. I think LHill could do a good job as well.
Frank Caliendo
let’s not forget that whoever plays Bob Marley needs to be able to both act and sing, something Jesse Martin is very well known for. He gets my vote, and has the time since he is off L&O.
As much as I heart Chiwetel, I’d like to nominate the only good part of quarterlife, OT Fagbenle, who can sing, is hot, and sports a variety of accents. Yeah, OT!
Well if Cate Blanchett isn’t available then Mos Def for sure.