Paramount’s Bob Marley Biopic Casts Lashana Lynch As Iconic Singer’s Wife, Rita Marley

We’ll be seeing actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night In Miami“) taking on the role of legendary Reggae singer Bob Marley in a new biopic film at Paramount Pictures that is being helmed by “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green. The combination of director and actor gives the impression that it could end up becoming a festival/awards darling as another impressive addition to the cast has been announced.

A new report from Deadline has revealed that British actress Lashana Lynch (“No Time To Die“) has joined the film in a major role and is quickly making the project an exciting prospect for fans of Marley who might not be terribly familiar with his life. Lynch, who has Jamaican heritage, will play Marley’s Cuban-born wife in the anticipated biopic.

Rita Marley, the surviving widow of Bob Marley, is also the mother of fellow Jamaican singers Ziggy and Stephen Marley. She is a famed singer herself with groups such as The Wailers and The I Three, which would suggest that we’ll be hearing Lynch sing as well.

READ MORE: Kingsley Ben-Adir To Play Reggae Legend Bob Marley In Biopic From ‘King Richard’ Director Reinaldo Marcus Green

The actress has been seen in a bevy of high-profile projects such as “No Time To Die,” “Captain Marvel,” “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness,” and will be seen next in “The Woman King.” Her co-star recently took a Marvel role himself and will be seen in the Skrull-centric Disney+ crossover event series “Secret Invasion” that is led by Samuel L. Jackson and is expected to have connective tissue to the upcoming “Captain Marvel” sequel, “The Marvels.”

While Bob Marley’s popularity exploded in the 1970s, it wasn’t until after his death in 1981 that his body of work rose to its legendary level. The ’80s and ’90s saw Marley’s songs being embraced by the folks of all walks of life beyond reggae diehards, stoners, and college kids. The positive and revolutionary messages in Marley’s songs remain relevant 40+ years later as his family continues that spirit with their own music.