Patois-fluent actors, musicians, invited to audition Saturday and Sunday

The Marley family is inviting all Jamaican talent to audition this weekend at an open casting for the untitled biopic about Reggae icon Bob Marley.

Paramount Picture’s team will conduct casting at the AC Marriott Hotel in St Andrew on Saturday (August 27) and Sunday (August 28) from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm.

Another round of open casting will be at Montego Bay Convention Centre on September 3, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The family is fully immersed in the process as it gets closer to filming.

Bob’s daughter, Cedella Marley, is named as a producer, along with Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley. Cedella will participate in this weekend’s casting via Zoom and travel to the island for callbacks in September.

“This is thrilling and at the same time, very sobering for us as a family,” Cedella replied when asked about the movie.

“Our father stood for truth and justice and envisioned creating a world of love and harmony through his words and his deeds. Being able to share daddy’s life works with the world is like continuing his mission. It’s a joy to do this, and we know we have to get it right.”

Her brother Ziggy, Bob’s eldest son, echoed her sentiments, saying: “I’m happy we have this opportunity to engage our talented Jamaicans in this project from the beginning. It’s very important to us to represent the story well and share it with the world authentically.”

With several important speaking roles, aspiring talent must be fluent in patois and ready for on-camera auditions. Children under 18 years old should be accompanied by an adult who can sign consent forms.

Casting specifics:

Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Baby Bob, Young Bunny, Peter, Ziggy, Stephen, Cedella and Sharon (ages 4 – 13 years); Young Bob (ages 4-8; 11-13 and 15-18); Young Bunny and Young Peter (age 13); Young Rita (ages 18-22); Young Stephen (ages 4-6); Young Cedella (age 8); Young Ziggy (age 9) and Young Sharon (ages 10-12).

Saturday, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM — Teens to age 22 for teen-aged Bob, Peter and Bunny (19 – 22) and Rita (age 17).

Sunday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — (The Wailers/Musicians)

Bunny Livingston, Peter Tosh and Family Man Barrett (26-31); Carlton ‘Carly’ Barrett (age 27); Tyrone Downie (age 19); Donald Kinsey (American, age 23); Junior Marvin (British, mid-20s); Judy Mowatt (20s); MArcia GRiffiths (28); Seeco PAtterson (46).

Sunday, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM — (The band crew, Cindy and extras, ages 20s to 40s)

Cindy Breakespeare (20s); Don Taylor (33); Antonio ‘Gillie’ Gilbert (30s); Neville Garrick (25); Bucky Marshall (30s); Claudie Massop (30s); Joe Higgs (30s); Coxsone Dodd (27-32); Cedella Booker (Bob Marley’s mother) – ages 28 – 49.

The Bob Marley biopic is set to be released in 2024, with Reinaldo Marcus Green, Oscar-winning filmmaker of the movie, King Richard, joining the team in Jamaica for the casting.