Scorsese No Longer Ja-makin' Marley Biopic

Director pulls out of Bob Marley biopic due to scheduling conflicts

By Gina Serpe May 22, 2008 4:40 PMTags
Martin Scorsese Yasky/WireImage.com

Martin Scorsese won't be jammin' after all.

The Oscar winner has pulled out from directing an authorized Bob Marley biopic (not to be confused with the Weinstein Co.'s unauthorized Bob Marley biopic), citing scheduling conflicts.

It's unclear exactly which pending project coincided with the Marley shoot, though Scorsese has a number of films on his plate, including Shutter Island, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, a possible Theodore Roosevelt biopic and a documentary on George Harrison.

Taking his place to chronicle the life and times of the reggae legend is Silence of the Lambs helmer, fellow Oscar winner and music video vet Jonathan Demme.

"I am thrilled and humbled by this extraordinary opportunity to participate in fashioning a motion picture that can serve as a worthy vessel for the spiritual and musical brilliance of Bob Marley," Demme said.

Despite the director shakeup, the untitled film is still expected to be released as planned on Feb. 6, 2010, marking the 65th anniversary of Marley's birth.