Umi Myers, the British actor who portrays Miss World 1976, Cindy Breakspeare in Paramount Pictures’ “Bob Marley: One Love” biopic, in a message to World Music Views, stated that she will reserve her sentiments regarding the reduction of her character’s role in the final cut of the film. Despite her integral connection to Bob Marley’s life, Myers’ portrayal of Breakspeare was reduced to just two scenes: “one where she stands watching Bob Marley in conversation with Rita Marley at a telephone booth and the other was a flashing glimpse of Bob’s many sojourns with women around the world.”
The decision by the powers that be, namely the directors of producers of the film, has sparked considerable debate and disappointment among fans and critics alike, but Myers says she is under a non-disclosure agreement and would not grant a full interview at this time.
In a statement Umi Myers told World Music Views, “I think there has already been so much public discourse, debate, and general conversation around my/Cindy’s exclusion & reduction from the film’s Final Cut.” Myers expressed, “I feel that anything I may have to say may only further fuel an unhelpful narrative.”
Myers who is listed as the 5th name in the casting credits of the film, shot several scenes with Kingsley Ben-Adir in Jamaica and the U.K. including a few with intimate embrace and kisses. However those scenes were all places on the chopping block before the film’s premiere.
Breakspeare, the mother of Marley’s last son, Damian Marley, played a significant role in Bob Marley’s personal and artistic journey. On his 76th birthday in February, she gave a touching tribute detailing the many places she had a wonderful affair with the King Of Reggae who was married to Rita Marley up until his death in 1981.
Myers expressed gratitude for her experience working on the film in a message to WMV saying, “I had a great experience filming for all the months that I did.” She shared, adding, “I met and worked alongside so many wonderful people, so much Jamaican talent.” Her portrayal of Breakspeare, though limited, was a source of pride for Myers. “I was proud of the work that I did do during filming (whether or not that was shown in the end), of getting the part in the first place, and of playing the woman that I did,” she affirmed, ending with the iconic phrase “One love.”
After 5 weeks, the “Bob Marley: One Love” movie, has so far experiences a significant global rollout, with box office US domestic gross earnings of $94,216,599 since its release on February 14, 2024, with an opening of $28,659,004.
Internationally, it has garnered $78,100,000, resulting in a worldwide total of $173,416,599. More specifically, in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, notable performances were seen in countries like Croatia ($185,527), Czech Republic ($120,323), France ($13,758,984), Germany ($4,798,136), Italy ($3,121,092), Netherlands ($3,121,152), Portugal ($1,082,955), Serbia and Montenegro ($21,453), Spain ($1,798,388), Turkey ($47,496), and the United Kingdom ($20,464,770).
In the Latin American markets such as Colombia ($281,645) and Mexico ($1,922,201) saw significant earnings, while others like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela did not contribute substantially to the reported gross. In Asia Pacific, the film performed well in countries like Australia ($4,319,372), Indonesia ($120,000), New Zealand ($1,323,957), South Korea ($187,846), and Vietnam ($2,064).
Other key film markets such as Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand did not report significant earnings overall. The film is still showing in theaters and now available on streaming platforms.
