F. Gary Gray is set to direct “Marvin” – a biopic of iconic singer Marvin Gaye with C. Gaby Mitchell signed on to write the script.
Variety reports the film will be produced by David Foster with Duncan McGillivray. The duo are planning to shop the film to studios and financiers next week and the production does have complete music rights to Gaye’s catalog of songs –including his biggest hits “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “What’s Goin’ On” and “Let’s Get It On.”
Filmmakers are planning to have the movie’s star lip synch to Gaye’s original recordings.
Gray (“The Italian Job”) has wanted to get a film made about Gaye, but the project hung on the music rights. The director will have competition for Gaye’s life story with the James Gandolfini produced “Sexual Healing” also in the works.
“Sexual Healing” (which stars Jesse L. Martin) is said to focus on Gaye’s declining years in the music industry due to the film only receiving the rights to Gaye’s post-Motown career.
Gray’s “Marvin” will cover the singer’s entire life including his rise at Motown, his defiance of Berry Gordy with the recording of “What’s Goin’ On,” and his death in 1984.