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After years of gestation and obstacles for a slew of competing projects, a Marvin Gaye feature biopic will be made after all. I’ve learned that Jesse L. Martin will play the Motown legend in the Julien Temple-helmed Sexual Healing, which is slated to start filming in later this month in Europe. Brendan Gleason is set to co-star. Law & Order alum Jesse L. Martin was previously attached to star in the James Gandolfini-produced version of Sexual Healing five years ago. Temple’s Sexual Healing made headlines in November when it tapped Lenny Kravitz for the lead, triggering objections from Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III, who asked Kravitz to drop out and threatened legal action against the film. Sexual Healing now appears on track, with Vassal Benford and Fred Bestall producing. The film focuses on the time Gaye spent in Europe in the early 1980s, when the soul singer attempted to get his addictions under control and career back on track with the help of British music promoter Freddy Cousaert (Gleason). Gaye was shot by his father and died in Los Angeles on April 1, 1984. Temple, a video and documentary director, previously helmed Absolute Beginners. Martin, repped by manager Bob McGowan and ICM Partners, recently starred in the NBC pilot The Secret Lives Of Husbands And Wives, which remains in contention for fall. He also has extensive music credentials, including originating the role of Tom Collins in the Broadway production of Rent.
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Finally! Martin’s perfect for the role and is gonna knock it outta the park. He’ll finally get the attention he deserves. A wonderful singer/performer/actor.
I think Lenny Kravitz would have done a good job… but he should get off of the alcohol and go back to smoking pot – he seemed so depressed on the Piers Morgan Show talking about wine instead of weed.
You know we need to stop being haters and start to support a positive outcome for these brothers and sisters battling with serious illinesses such as depression, alcoholism and drug addiction, yes even sexual addiction. Just because you were blessed to not have the same problems, I can bet that everyone who has something negative to say is hiding some dark secret, they just haven’t dealt with, yet. “Remember Robert Downey, jr.”, he survived, let’s pray others are as fortunate.
b.s.!
Wow !! Jesse l Martin is perfect for this !! Great actor , singer , and person !
about time!!! been following the marvin movie news for years now and jesse l martin is the only person that can do marvin justice on film. i was upset when i found out lenny was gonna play marvin. great news!
Jesse is a great choice for marvin !! Not only is he talented and can sing, he looks like marvin, what is really crazy , I hear he us recurring on smash , and does not sing ‘!! Their lose ‘n
I was involved with the Gaye Estate for many years … Jesse Martin is a dream casting although he’s not a “name” in the conventional sense of financing value he’s got the looks, acting chops and vocal talent to destroy this role … Any non-Motown project has to focus on the later Sexual Healing years when the music rights weren’t controlled by Berry Gordy’s Motown/Jobete companies … It is unlikely there will ever be a sanctioned story to cover his entire life that is truthful … as Marvin’s clashes with the Gordys were epic … he was a great artist … an amazing man … prescient … but a tortured soul.
Jesse Martin may not be a ‘name,’ but he should be. He is an extraordinarily talented actor – versatile and compelling.
Noooooooo! Martin Luther McCoy from “Across the Universe” should get the role. His rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” sounds almost identical to Marvin Gaye, and he looks close enough like him. Jamie Foxx didn’t look 100% like Ray Charles, but he had the musicality much like Martin Luther McCoy.
Jesse L. Martin’s voice blows anyone else in contention out of the water.
I guess I missed something… Glad Martin is getting this opportunity but what was the objection to Kravitz?
According to, a-hem, TMZ, Marvin Gaye Jr. was upset that his childhood friend, Lenny Kravitz signed on for a project about his late father that he feels is “shameful.” Reportedly, “Sexual Healing” focuses on Marvin Gaye’s life in the 80s when he battled drug abuse and depression.
Ah, okay. Thanks. I misread the entry. I thought the piece was saying MGIII would sue the production because of Lenny’s involvement.
YES!!! The fans have spoken. The Matrix has listened.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jesse on L&O, he’s a heck of an actor and a great guy. He’ll finally get to show how multi-talented he is. This is a once in a lifetime role which will make him a star. Happy to see a fellow McGowan stablemate doing great things! Contrats.
I agree he need his opportunity, rather than casting the same afro-americans. I think Common would do a great job, also.
This is excellant casting. Jesse L. Martin, an underrated and underused actor at best and an impeccible singer, will bring a level of passion and authenticity to what has the potential to be a great role. Julian Temple has a real opportunity here and I hope he kills it. “Sexual Healing” is on my radar now in a major way – good luck.
Great Casting.
Jesse will soar here. Look for an Oscar nomination.
Looks like it’s cast by Gaby Kester in the UK. She has a great eye.
Been waiting for so long….excellent news.
Quite frankly (no offense)I do not believe either of these guys can do the role justice. I really think that during this period of Marvin’s life, the best person to play him is Robert Kelly (R KellY). he has many of Marvin’s mannerisms and I believe he could make one hell of a soundtrack.
Smack!
Sorry, Mr. Gaye wasn’t a child molester.
I am not sure about R. Kelly’s acting ability, but without a doubt he would simply knock the sountrak out of the box. I met Marvin in the early 60′s, he and R. Kelly have some similar characteristics, from what I have read, though I never met Kelly, my sister did and from what her interaction was with Kelly, they were similar in many ways. I don’t understand Marvin III, violent objection to Kravitz, it must be something personal, since it is said they were childhood friends. (usually a girl)
R. Kelly???!!! You can’t be serious! Jesse L. Martin was born to play this role!
John Legend? Common? No…?
Michael B. Jordan…
Now THIS I’m here for. Martin was made for this. Now if there’s a serious biopic ever made for Hendrix? Call Kravitz.
Hendrix biopic is already being done. Andre 3000 is playing Hendrix and looks like a dead ringer.
Finally! I had heard years ago he was going to do this and was disappointed whe I heard about Lenny Kravitz stepping in. Jesse L. Martin bears a resemblance to Marvin Gaye and I think it will be amazing.
Jesse L. Martin will be perfect to protray The Great Mariv Gaye. He’s got a great voice and can act.
Now we have to worry about how horrible Zoe Saldana will be as Nina Simone.
To all concerned I’m letting be fully known that I am not on board and will not be on board first and foremost as long as my fathers legacy as and family are not being respected and his body of work his blood sweat and tears are not held in the highest regard I will see to it that not film is done and those who try best have deep pockets and an army bigger than mine which they don’t and still they must have my and then my siblings consent for it to even be considered any and all real Marvin Gaye fans want whats best for him and this version is not Martin or no Martin (Jesse) thank you Marvin Gaye III
Thank you Marvin III ! Neither are we on board! It doesn’t matter WHO plays Marvin, this project is FLAT OUT WRONG…A TOTAL DISRESPECT TO HIS LEGACY! I will continue to fight with you to shut down ANY AND EVERYTHING that disrespects Marvin, who he was and what he stood for!
Renee
Doesn’t matter who plays the part NOBODY is a sexy as Marvin was.
Jessie Martin may not be a name,but you could pack it with some star power, JZ plays Berry Gordy and Beyounce plays Berry’s Gordy’s sister,Marvin Gayes blood sucking wife. How is that for star power!
Marvin III – if that is actually you – instead of posting on this forum, you need to take some grammar classes. Trying to decipher what you just wrote was more painful than R, Kelly playing Marvin Gaye (Qanda you play too much!)
With that being said, Jesse for the win! I love Lenny and he was great in Precious but Marvin was a complicated man. Jesse will provide the much needed depth for the role.
Jesse Martin will be perfect for the role of Marvin Gaye. He is talented, can sing, and has the exact look for the part. Lenny is a good artist and woudld be wonderful a la Jimmy Hendrix…And no…as much as I love Zoe Saldana, she should not be playing Nina Simone…wow…the movies…
I’ve been telling my wife that he (Jesse Martin) reminds me of Marvin Gaye. I think he’ll do a great job. He is very talented actor and singer.
Prefiero a lenny kravitz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!