One Love

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Lore & Background

The story begins in 1976 amidst armed political conflict affecting daily life in Jamaica. Bob Marley announces his performance at the Smile Jamaica Concert to promote peace among warring factions. During preparations, Marley, his wife Rita, and several band members are shot by assailants. Both Marley and Rita survive and recover in time for the concert. After performing, a saddened Marley shows the crowd his bullet wounds and walks off stage. He instructs Rita to take their children to Delaware, while he and the band head to London to record. Struggling with new album concepts, Marley asks Rita to rejoin him in England. Inspired by the soundtrack of Exodus and their own situation, they record the album of the same name alongside a second 1978 release. This success popularizes reggae and Rastafari globally. Tensions rise regarding his responsibilities and infidelities, leading to friction with Rita and an altercation with manager Don Taylor over finances.

In Their Own Story

A toenail infection from being hit by a football raises concerns for Rita and producer Chris Blackwell. Marley is diagnosed with a rare skin cancer. When Blackwell confronts him about treatment choices, a firm Marley dismisses him. Facing mortality, he reconciles with Rita and Taylor, deciding to return to Jamaica in 1978. He is welcomed by a crowd at the airport where the gunman who shot him begs for forgiveness; Marley replies that he "keeps no vengeance." After debuting "Redemption Song" to his family about reconciliation, Rita deems him ready for a peace concert. The film concludes with the band gearing up to perform "One Love." A pre-credits montage shows real footage of the One Love Peace Concert featuring heads of both Jamaican political parties on stage. It reveals the band performed in Zimbabwe to celebrate independence before Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.

Reader's Guide

Production development began in June 2018 with Paramount Pictures and producer Ziggy Marley. Reinaldo Marcus Green was hired to direct in March 2021, joined by writers Zach Baylin, Frank E. Flowers, and Terence Winter. Following an extensive year-long search, Kingsley Ben-Adir was cast in February 2022, with Lashana Lynch joining in August. The rest of the cast, including Michael Gandolfini, Nadine Marshall, James Norton, and Anthony Welsh, joined in February 2023. Principal photography started in December 2022 across London and Jamaican locations like Kingston, Trench Town, Norman Manley International Airport, Bull Bay, and Cane River Falls, wrapping in April 2023. Kris Bowers composed the score. The soundtrack EP released on February 14, 2024, by Island Records and Tuff Gong, while Kacey Musgraves covered "Three Little Birds" on January 26, 2024. The film opened in Jamaica with a record $100,000 day one gross and an 89% market share, eventually earning $51 million over its first six days in the US.

Did You Know?

• The film was originally scheduled for release on January 12, 2024, but was moved to February 14, 2024.
• Kingsley Ben-Adir underwent an extensive, year-long, globe-spanning search by the studio before being cast as Bob Marley.
• In Jamaica, the film set a record for the biggest box office opening of all time with an $100,000 first-day gross and 89% market share.
• Kacey Musgraves released a cover of "Three Little Birds" on January 26, 2024, as part of the film's soundtrack promotion.
• The pre-credits montage includes real footage showing Bob Marley joined on stage by the heads of both Jamaican political parties.