Last fall, it was reported that Lenny Kravitz was the official casting choice to play Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic of the late singer’s life, but now things have changed; actor Jesse L. Martin is now going to portray Gaye in the film Sexual Healing. Turns out Martin was the original choice back in 2008 when the project was to be produced by James Gandolfini.
But when Lenny Kravitz signed on to do the portrayal in November, Marvin Gaye III (the singer's son) expressed his disdain. Gaye III is an old friend and childhood classmate of Kravitz, and is against the whole film because it will focus solely on the dark period of his father’s life. “The producers and directors of this film are very wrong and shameful … [They're] trying to do a film about a low period in his life. They don’t even know the whole story,” Marvin III told TMZ. “I would hope [Lenny] doesn’t have any idea that we are against this film being done.”
Director Julien Temple must have bowled over Marvin III’s comments, and Kravitz may have been contacted then stepped down from the role as a deed for his friend. But the film is still moving forward even though Marvin III is against it.
Martin’s most recent role is as Scott Welker on NBC’s Smash. He’s definitely a fit when it comes to looks, but as the film moves forward, do you agree with Marvin III’s opposition?
