Posted by | Ray Cornelius
BV is reporting that Lenny Kravitz has been cast to play Motown legend Marvin Gaye in the long awaited biopic about the troubled soul singer.
According to Indie Wire, the project was originally set to begin production back in 2008 under the name “Sexual Healing.” At that time, “Law and Order” star Jesse L. Martin was slated to play the lead along with Sopranos actor James Gandolfini as Freddy Cousaert. Cousaert was the Belgian promoter who helped Gaye back on his feet to record his comeback album, Midnight Love which spawned the hit record, “Sexual Healing.” Gandolfini was also in line to produce the project along with Lauren Goodman as director. However, things stalled and the project went virtually nowhere until 2011 when it was picked up by director Julien Temple.
Fast forward to 2012 and Temple is still directing the film, with the role of Gaye now being played by Kravitz. Temple is a filmmaker who’s built a career on rock music films including the documentaries London: The Modern Babylon, Absolute Beginners, The Future is Unwritten and The Great Rock and Roll Swindle. Kravitz is also no stranger to the big screen, having starred most recently in Precious, The Hunger Games and its soon to be released follow up The Hunger Games: Catching Fire debuting in 2013.
It is still not clear if the title of the film will remain as “Sexual Healing.” However, it will stay focused on Gaye’s latter years as he struggled with alcoholism and tax issues. While living in London, Gaye retreated to Belgium with the help of Cousaert, thus recording the album. In 1983 Gaye returned to the United States after his Love tour and moved in with his parents in Los Angeles. Gaye’s father Marvin Sr. shot his son to death after a business argument on April 1, 1984, one day before his 45th birthday.
RC will keep you posted on this story as it develops. In the meantime, check out Gaye’s classic tune, Trouble Man. Reportedly, the song which is also the name of a book is the premise upon which the film is based.
It is also one of my personal favorites. Enjoy!
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