“Bob Marley: One Love” resonated with audiences on Valentine’s Day, surpassing expectations with a U.S. reported domestic opening of $14 million. The film based on segments of the life of the iconic reggae legend also earned $4.9 million from 10 international markets, including Jamaica, the U.K., France, and Spain, bringing its global total to $19.4 million.
In contrast, Sony’s “Madame Web,” the latest addition to the studio’s Spider-verse, fell short with a domestic debut of just over $6 million.
Initial projections suggested “Bob Marley: One Love” could rake in $30 million to $35 million in the U.S. alone through President’s Day. With a strong start, it may well exceed these estimates by Monday, while “Madame Web” is expected to reach $26 million during the six-day period.
The budget spend to make “One Love” is US$70 million according Variety.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film also features Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and James Norton as Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records.
Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
At the premiere in Jamaica January 23, Paramount Pictures’ CEO, Brian Robbins, revealed that over 2,000 Jamaicans were employed for the production of the “Bob Marley: One Love” biopic, with more than 400 involved in the cast and crew and 1,800 as background actors.
The movie was shot in Jamaica and the UK, with significant investments made in the Trench Town community the film executive said.
Despite some criticism regarding the casting choice of a British actor, Kingsley Ben-Adir, as Bob Marley, Robbins emphasized the importance of finding the best fit for the role, considering both talent and likeness. The film premiered in Kingston, Jamaica, with subsequent premieres and previewing in Paris, London, and Los Angeles and Canada.
