Marleys Get Up, Stand Up to Weinsteins

Posted Mar 24th 2008 7:00PM by TMZ Staff

Two Bob Marley projects are in the works, but only one will be able to use the rastamans's music. Marleys stand up to Weinsteins
The family of the reggae legend, whose dreadlocked mug is plastered on the wall of nearly every freshman dorm room across the country, has a long-standing policy of not licensing his music to any film or tv project where an actor portrays Marley. This includes the Weinstein Co's planned adaptation of Rita Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" - even though Rita Marley (Bob's wife) is an executive producer! Not very irie mon.

Meanwhile Martin Scorsese is set to direct a yet unnamed documentary on Bob Marley - which the Marley family will fully support.

Marley's son Ziggy released a statement saying, "We believe that this project is the best way to represent our father's life from his perspective and any other film project pertaining to our father will be empty without his music to support it." Take that Weinsteins.

TMZ spoke to the Weinstein Co.'s spokesman Matthew Frankel who stated, "We have great respect for the Marley family and... are in discussions to look at ways to mutually benefit both projects."

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 2)Previous 15 Comments

16. There is no more to be proud of in a lack of knowledge of Bob Marley and his huge contribution to modern music than there would be in not knowing who Elvis, the Beatles, Madonna, and U2 are. If you're admitting you don't know, your attitude says a lot more about your lack of education than our respect for him. And don't bother with that baloney about it being a generational thing. I know a good hundred 20-somethings who worship the guy. Open your eyes and ears and get a clue.

Posted at 8:41AM on Mar 25th 2008 by steve.body

17. @RICHARD....I THINK YOU ARE SOMEONE WITH A LOW MENTALITY TO WRITE SUCH A COMMENT IF YOU ARE SO AGAINST BOB WHY DID YOU EVEN READ MUCH AND EVEN WENT AS FAR AS COMMENTING?? YOU ARE A RACIST AND I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU AS YOU MAY NOT KNOW THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT RACE THAT ENJOY BOB MUSIC..HE IS A LEGEND WHAT ARE YOU?

Posted at 9:31AM on Mar 25th 2008 by toytoy

18. J.Stone you said it best. Most persons do not realize Bob did not like anybody if they were not Rastas. So all the Blacks, Whites and Asians who thought he was singing for freedom and peace go back and listen carefully the lyrics. Bob did not even like his own jamaican ppl unless they were Rastas.

Posted at 10:25AM on Mar 25th 2008 by IslandGrwon

19. Have you ever seen Harvey Weinstein's wife,Georgina Chapman. They have to be one of the most odd looking couples I've ever seen. Talk about beauty and the beast.

Posted at 10:34AM on Mar 25th 2008 by wisegirl

20. Jah Rastafari......Selassie I the most high! Bob Marley 4 life!

Posted at 10:49AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Here 4 Beer

21. Finally!! Although i can't stand Rita Marley!!!!!!! I hope BoBs part isn't give to a black American fake accent actor! I am Jamaican and hate hearing that fake crap!

Posted at 12:55PM on Mar 25th 2008 by petal

22. I hope they find an AUTHENTIC Jamaican to play this role and not bother with the stupid sounding FAKE-sounding Jamaican accents...SEE Taye Diggs in How Stella Got Her Grove Back for an example of a horrible accent.
OH, TMZ, contrary to popular belief, Jamaicans DON'T say MON. They say MAN. It's because they pronouce the 'a' as 'ah'---short, rather than drag it out or nasalize it the way North-American countries do, why it sounds like 'MON.'

Posted at 1:39PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Marley

23. Bob Marley music is one of the most educated and inspirational music you can listen to and understand every word. He stands up for what he beleived in for himself and his people. He was loved and still loved by many. Bob was very a very educated man and a very, very good soccer player, so don't hate the man. He was the GREATEST!!!!!!

Posted at 3:30PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Nikita L

24. I don't know who informed you that bob did not like his own people, but you need to get your facts straight before thrashing the man. Bob loved everyone black, white green or blue and he was loved in return. Get your fact's before you give any opinion on the subject. On the Island of Jamaica you will not find any discriminating of anyone because of their color or race. Read up on the Island and the LEGEND before opening your mouth.

One love

Posted at 3:31PM on Mar 25th 2008 by nikita L

25. Don't eat da pig.

Posted at 4:05PM on Mar 25th 2008 by GrannyPants

26. Joaquim sang in Walk The Line .....

Posted at 6:46PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Stacie1420

27. I grew up listening to Bob Marley and now i have the pleasure of listening to his children i would love to see a movie about his life and his legend as in the movie I am legend Will Smith really talks the truth about Bob Marley and it really did touch me and if you havent seen I am legend what are you waiting for it was fantastic. Get the DVD
Anyways Bob Marley is hanging up in my living room and my mother loves him you know her being from the virgin islands and all and my dad is from jamaca anyway Bob Marley is one of the greatest

Posted at 12:21PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Tranzy

28. No disrespect here, but can we have some of the 30 years of music hiding in the vaults, please? All the re-released re-released music is disrespectful to Bob and the music for which he stands. Of course, I would see any movie on Berhane Selassie, OM, regardless of director, as long is it true to the mission. Roots.

Posted at 10:56PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Shaunman

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