A film based on the true story of Bob Marley and the Wailers is reportedly in the works, set up at Mandalay Pictures, with writer Barry Morrow (Rain Man) and producer Cathy Schulman (Crash) both said to be currently attached to the project – this according to Production Weekly, which I subscribe to.
Titled Buffalo Soldiers (named after song written by Bob Marley), the biopic, as it’s being described, will follow Marley and the Wailers and their many struggles faced on their way to eventual success.
The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as “Buffalo Soldiers”, that fought in the American Indian Wars in the last 1800s/early 1900s. Marley’s song turned their fight for survival into a symbol of black resistance.
The Wailers was created by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer in 1963, to be later joined by Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith. The group eventually disbanded, and Bob Marley began touring with new band members.
No word on what the exact status of the project is, other than it’s been set up at Mandalay with the above names attached, meaning it may or may not happen. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Certainly no news on casting at this stage of the process.
Also no word on whether the Marley family is behind the project.
This news comes 2 years after Academy Award-winner Kevin Macdonald’s acclaimed long-in-development feature documentary Marley, was released as the definitive documentary on the life of Bob Marley, which was made with the unprecedented support of the Marley family, and featured rare footage, archival photos, and incredible performances and interviews with his family, friends, and band mates – the people who knew him best.
The film is now available on all home entertainment platforms, including DVD, iTunes, streaming on Netflix and more, providing you with several viewing options.
