Reports have been surfacing that actor Jamie Foxx, who picked up a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the late Ray Charles is set to portray another musical icon: Jamaica's own reggae king, Robert Nesta Marley.

The Internet film industry monitor Cinematical said Algerian-born director Rachid Bouchareb [The Dust of Life] is reportedly set to direct the project, based on a concept suggested by Marley's widow Rita. The working title of the film is said to be I Shot The Sheriff, one of Marley's more popular songs.

But the Marley camp is so far denying any involvement in such a project. Calls by the Observer to the Kingston office of the Bob Marley Foundation were referred to the New York Office. On being contacted, a representative denied that any such project was underway or under discussion. The representative then said that Mrs Marley was presently in Gambia, Africa, participating in a cultural festival, and could not comment. Efforts to contact the Marleys' overseas publicist, Paula Witt at Shore Fire proved unsuccessful.

Foxx stars alongside Irishman Colin Farell in the upcoming film adaptation of the popular 1980s series Miami Vice, and also has a role in the big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls (loosely based on the life of the Supremes), scheduled for a December release.

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