Kingsley Ben-Adir’s Transformative Journey as Bob Marley in “One Love”
As the highly anticipated film “Bob Marley: One Love” approaches its official release, actor Kingsley Ben-Adir reflects on his experience portraying the Jamaican reggae legend. The 37-year-old Londoner found the filming process to be both rewarding and enlightening.
Scheduled to hit theaters on February 14, the biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” features Kingsley Ben-Adir in the lead role, and he delves into his preparation for the iconic character.
“When I got the role, I was just starting ‘Barbie,’ and I realized there was so much to learn about Bob. There were so many things I didn’t know. I didn’t play the guitar, and I wasn’t familiar with the Jamaican dialect. Everything was new to me,” Ben-Adir shares. “So, I decided to make the most of the downtime on set, during scene setups and long waiting hours, by practicing playing the guitar and immersing myself in Bob Marley’s speeches.”
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Thanks to his dedication and professionalism, the 37-year-old actor impressed his fellow cast and crew members during filming. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green describes Kingsley as “amazing” in his portrayal of Bob Marley.
“It was incredible to witness his transformation throughout the process. I know it wasn’t an easy task to embody such an iconic figure, but he tirelessly sought to capture the essence of the man, his humanity, and Bob Marley’s identity,” says Green. “That was our goal throughout the entire film. It was truly remarkable to witness Kingsley’s physical and emotional journey.”
Actress Lashana Lynch, who portrays Rita, Bob Marley’s wife, was left astounded by Ben-Adir’s performance.
“I wouldn’t say it was strange, but rather, I was pleasantly surprised. He immersed himself so deeply in his research, in his energy, and in the way he embraced this role. He truly protected the essence of Bob Marley in a way that made me proud as a Jamaican woman. I knew Bob was in good hands with Kingsley. It felt as if Kingsley had disappeared for months, and there was no one left but Bob Marley. That’s how I became his Rita on set,” Lynch explains.
Filmed from December 2022 to February 2023, “Bob Marley: One Love” has provided Kingsley Ben-Adir with the most significant role of his career thus far, solidifying his talent and dedication to his craft.
