Bob Marley is megastar, activist in trailer for new biopic

The first trailer for the Bob Marley biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” dropped on Thursday. Directed by “King Richard” filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green and starring “One Night in Miami” actor Kingsley Ben-Adir in the title role, the film details the reggae singer’s later years.

The preview begins with Marley at the height of his fame — playing to massive crowds, recording some of his biggest hits in the studio, glad-handing with prominent people and being chased by a mob of adoring fans — before jumping to a scene that re-creates the night of his attempted assassination in 1976.

Marley then is shown making the decision to play at the Smile Jamaica Concert, a peace concert in Jamaica, just two days after he was shot.

“My life is not important to me,” Marley says in the trailer of his decision to return to the stage so quickly. “My life is for people.”

The film is slated for a Jan. 12 theatrical release.

On Instagram Wednesday, Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, gave some insight on the film.

“(T)his film will bring you to witness for the first time what it was like to be around the legend, to see his pain his sorrows his joys and his redemption. Filmed in England and Jamaica the cast and crew represents one of the most unique creation to ever come out of a Hollywood studio,” the singer-songwriter wrote.

Ben-Adir is no stranger to taking on the role of a cultural icon. In the Regina King-directed film “One Night in Miami” he portrayed civil rights activist Malcolm X, while in the 2020 Showtime series “The Comey Rule” he played former President Barack Obama.