Long-in-development biopic swaps outs its lead actor.
Back in November it was announced that rocker-turned-actor Lenny Kravitz had been cast as Marvin Gaye in ‘Sexual Healing,’ a long-gesting biopic of the Motown legend that was to be directed by Julien Temple. Now Deadline is reporting that Jesse L. Martin (‘Law & Order,’ ‘Puncture,’ ‘Rent’) is set to replace Kravitz as the soul singer.
The film will revolve around Gaye’s time spent in Europe in the early 1980s when the singer attempted to get his addictions under control and career back on track with the help of British music promoter Freddy Cousaert (to be portrayed by Brendan Gleeson).
Martin was brought in to replace Kravtiz after Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III, objected to the casting and threatened legal action against the film. S. Epatha Merkerson is attached to portray Gaye’s mother Alberta.
‘Sexual Healing’ will be produced by Vassal Benton and Fred Bestall.