It will be filmed next spring in Jamaica, as well as Britain, particularly around Roots’ home in Brixton, south London.
Although their new film is a comedy drama, it will show Roots’ tough life, from extreme poverty to violence.
He was selling his homemade sauce at Notting Hill Carnival when he was talent-spotted for the Dragons’ Den in 2007.
Moorcroft said it would be a “life-affirming tale of hopes, dreams and second-chances, all set to an uplifting reggae soundtrack and bathed in Caribbean sunshine”.