The Weinstein Co Has Optioned Rights For Bob Marley Biopic

With the success of biopics based on musicians, it is both expected and appropriate that one be done to honor the life and music of Bob Marley. We get word of the Weinstein interest thanks to the professionals at Variety:

The Weinstein Co. has optioned rights to “No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley,” by the reggae star’s widow Rita Marley, with plans to develop and produce a biopic about the legendary Jamaican singer. The project is in early development, with a late 2009 release date anticipated.

Published by Hyperion in 2004, book chronicles the couple’s tempestuous marriage, which began in 1966 and weathered numerous separations and affairs, the birth of four children together (Marley may have fathered as many as 22 in all, 10 legally recognized) and an assassination attempt in 1976. Pic comes on the heels of last month’s announcement that Martin Scorsese will be directing a documentary on Marley with Ziggy Marley co-producing. They hope to have the doc released on Feb. 6, 2010, which would have been Marley’s 65th birthday.

The Weinstein Co. appears to be rushing the gate with their project in order to beat Scorsese to the punch. I think there is room for 2 takes on the life of Bob Marley. If one film focuses more on his romance and personal life, and the other his music; I think that is a fair gentleman’s agreement. If both films are similar in their storytelling however, a year may not be enough time between them.

The music of Bob Marley goes very well with alcoholic beverages and hot summer days. I am not a huge fan of reggae but Marley has always been a standout amongst the genre and I enjoy his music very much. He has a prophetic voice and owned Reggae like Johnny Cash did country. Sometimes the voice, message, and music fits together just right and a legend stands out; Bob Marley is such a man and I look forward to his story on the silver screen.