Don’t let it be said that Kingsley Ben-Adir is taking it easy with the roles he’s chosen to play. Following his turn as Malcolm X in One Night in Miami, he’s quickly followed that up by joining the MCU as a Skrull revolutionary in Secret Invasion, playing one of the most hilarious Kens in Barbie, and now he’s taking on a cultural icon and the most famous reggae singer of all in Bob Marley: One Love.
Ben-Adir is joined by a huge ensemble, fitting for such a larger-than-life figure as Bob Marley. Lashana Lynch plays his wife, Rita Marley, with James Norton as the man who discovered him, Island Records mogul Chris Blackwell. Also in the cast are Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Sharé Blake, Gawaine “J-Summa” Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Alexx A-Game, Michael Gandolfini, Quan-Dajai Henriques, David Kerr, Hector Roots Lewis, Abijah “Naki Wailer” Livingston, Nadine Marshall, Sheldon Shepherd, Andrae Simpson, and Stefan A.D Wade.
Here’s the official synopsis: BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE is in theatres February 14, 2024.
Behind the camera is director Reinaldo Marcus Green, who broke out in 2018 with Monsters and Men, which led to the Mark Wahlberg drama Joe Bell, followed by his biggest film, King Richard. He also co-wrote the script with Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin, who he worked with previously on King Richard.
For those wondering, the Marley estate is involved heavily with Bob Marley: One Love. Rita Marley is one of the producers, along with son Ziggy Marley. Brad Pitt is also producing the film through his Plan B banner.