News

The Battle of Two Marvins

The rise and fall of Marvin Gaye is a captivating one. That's why there are two biopics about the Motown recording artist currently in the works.

Director F. Gary Gray, last seen behind the camera of 2005's Be Cool, is planning to direct Marvin, a biopic about the slain R&B star. Gray and the film's producers are currently shopping studios and are looking to secure rights to Gaye's catalog so they can use his songs in the film. Whomever would portray Gaye in the film would lip synch his vocals. Gaining access to the music has been the biggest battle for this picture, which will focus on the whole of Gaye's life, from his ascent to fame as a singer to his tragic death, where he was shot by his own father.

Meanwhile, Sexual Healing, another Gaye biopic, is being planned as well. James Gandolfini is set to produce and have a small role in the film, with Jesse L. Martin on board to portray Gaye. The film will focus on Gaye's later years, due to the fact that the filmmakers have secured rights to the music from that particular period of the solo vocalist's career. Production is said to begin imminently in Europe.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.10.08