Jonathan Demme Takes Over Bob Marley Film

Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, The Manchurian Candidate, Neil Young: Heart of Gold) has replaced Martin Scorsese as director on Tuff Gong Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment’s Bob Marley documentary.The untitled film will be released worldwide on February 6 2010, marking the 65th anniversary of the reggae icon’s birth. Fortissimo is handling international sales.

The producers are in talks on a North American deal.

Scorsese was preparing to direct the authorised biography after he finished work on Shine A Light but had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts.

Demme previously collaborated with Shangri-La on the Neil Young documentary Heart Of Gold and will meet the Marley family to discuss the project.

Demme said:

“I am truly joyful about being included in this project and by the chance to team up with [Marley's eldest son and executive producer] Ziggy Marley and my good friends at Shangri-La Entertainment”

Ziggy Marley:

“My family and I are very excited to have Jonathan on board. His empathy with my father’s body of work and his unique understanding of the musical documentary form makes me confident that this film will be the ultimate celebration of my fathers’ life.”

Scorsese Plans Film About Bob Marley

Martin Scorsese is following up his Rolling Stones documentary with a film about the life of reggae legend Bob Marley, the US director’s agency DDA said Friday.

Marley’s son Ziggy is co-producer of the new documentary, which has still to be given a name.

‘I am thrilled that the Marley family will finally have the opportunity to document our father’s legacy and we are truly honoured to have Mr Scorsese guide the journey,’ Ziggy Marley said.

The film is set for release on February 6, 2010, the day on which the singer would have turned 65.

Scorsese’s Stones’ documentary, Shine a Light, had its world premier at the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday.