Deadline is exclusively reporting that Lashana Lynch has been cast in the untitled Bob Marley biopic at Paramount.

.

Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who became an international musical and cultural icon, starting out with the group The Wailers in the early 1960’s, then going solo in the mid 70’s once the group disbanded, establishing his worldwide status, introducing generations to reggae music, and becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time. He died in 1981 at the age of 36 due to cancer.

.

The report states that Lashana Lynch (whose credits include No Time To Die and Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness) will be playing the role of Bob Marley’s wife, Rita, who a young singer who joined The Soulettes, where Marley began mentoring the group, which ultimately led to the two falling in love. The report also states that casting for Rita included looking to find someone with Jamaican descent (While Lynch was born in England, her family comes from Jamiaca), and following several tests including chemistry reads with Kingsley Ben-Adir, who will be playing Bob Marley, Lynch not only won over executives but also Rita and the Marley family, who all gave their blessing to the casting.

.

The film has been in development for some time and now the pieces are now starting to come together with a director and now a star in the lead role. The project is being produced by Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley and Cedella Marley will also produce on behalf of Tuff Gong, alongside Robert Teitel. The film is being directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who is also working on the screenplay alongside Zach Baylin.