Marley Biopic Could Be On Hold

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Those hoping for a romanticized, Johnny Cash/Ray Charles-esque biopic on the legend of Bob Marley may have to settle for hard facts for now: The family of the reggae star has refused licensing any of Marley's music for the planned fictionalized tale, favoring instead a Martin Scorsese-helmed documentary.

The proposed biopic, executive produced and written by Marley's widow, Rita Marley, was slotted for a late 2009 release. The Marley family though has already licensed music to Scorsese's project, slated for release in 2010 - coinciding with Marley's February birthday.

Blue Mountain Music, Marley's publisher, stated "Martin Scorsese doesn't want to go out with a competing project," according to Billboard.

Likewise, the untitled documentary's executive producer, Ziggy Marley, stated "all our efforts and support are currently directed toward the documentary, we believe that this project is the best way to represent our father's life from his perspective," reported Billboard.

Blue Mountain and the sides of the Scorsese project would reportedly like to see the biopic postponed until at least 2015, to avoid overlap and competition.

Weinstein Co., who is backing the biopic, stated "We have great respect for the Marley family and (Blue Mountain president) Chris Blackwell and are in discussions to look at ways to mutually benefit both projects."