Singer and actor Lenny Kravitz is planning to take on playing late performer Marvin Gaye in a feature that has caught the eire of the "Let Love Rule" musician's former classmate, Marvin Gaye III.

"The producers and directors of this film are very wrong and shameful," Marvin Gaye III told TMZ. "[They're] trying to do a film about a low period in his life. They don't even know the whole story."

Kravitz will play the late singer under the working title, Sexual Healing, which reportedly centers on Gaye's life in the '80s, a period in which he battled drug abuse and depression.

Gaye's father shot and killed him in 1984.

Gaye III said that he and Kravitz are schoolmates and continue to be friends, but said he wants to meet with Kravitz and "talk to him about why he would do this."

Family members including Gaye III have reached out to lawyers to try and halt production and expressed his hope that Kravitz is pursuing the project without realizing the extent of opposition

coming from the Gaye side.

"I would hope [Kravitz] doesn't have any idea that we are against this film being done," said Gaye III.

Kravitz, whose credits include Precious and more recently in The Hunger Games is taking on the role of Marvin Gaye for director Julien Temple (London: The Modern Babylon).

http://movies.yahoo.com/n...59376.html

Not surprised. Allegedly the Gaye family stopped another film from happening because it only focused on Marvin getting high a lot.

Marvin Gaye’s Son
Begs Lenny Kravitz...
PLEASE Don't Play My Dad

EXCLUSIVE

Marvin Gaye's son wants his childhood friend Lenny Kravitz to walk away from the role of a lifetime -- playing the Motown legend in an upcoming biopic -- and says he's shocked Lenny signed on for a project he calls "shameful."

Kravitz will play Gaye in "Sexual Healing" (working title) -- which reportedly focuses on Marvin's life in the 80s when he battled drug abuse and depression ... before his father shot and killed him in 1984.

Marvin Gaye III tells TMZ, "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's son says he and Kravitz were schoolmates -- and remain friends to this day -- so he wants to "talk to him about why he would do this."

Marvin Jr. tells us he and other family members are meeting with lawyers to try to stop production -- and added, "I would hope [Lenny] doesn't have any idea that we are against this film being done."

We reached out to Kravitz for comment -- so far, no word back.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com#ixzz2E1c48yhH

I'm not happy about this movie,either Marvin has an incredible life story.It's a shame that nobody can seem to put together a good movie that covers his entire life.

And he has a right to not be happy about it. I wouldn't support it either.

missfee said:

And he has a right to not be happy about it. I wouldn't support it either.

It's like "you're gonna make a film about my father without consulting me first?"

missfee said:

And he has a right to not be happy about it. I wouldn't support it either.

Couldnt he sue?

I dont see how someone can (legally) just make a bio about someone without the consent of the family but then again they did that with another artist that shall remain nameless

That's why the Gaye family and the lawyers are trying to put a stop to the film before it leads to that. I'm guessing that's how Jesse's film was stopped.

mjscarousal said:

missfee said:

And he has a right to not be happy about it. I wouldn't support it either.

Couldnt he sue?

I dont see how someone can (legally) just make a bio about someone without the consent of the family but then again they did that with another artist that shall remain nameless

Andre3000 is currently flming a Jimi Hendrix biopic and the Hendrix family is furious.Like the Marvin Gaye movie,it only focuses on one small time period in Hendrix's career.These kinda movies are pointless,imo.I want the whole story!

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said:

Couldnt he sue?

I dont see how someone can (legally) just make a bio about someone without the consent of the family but then again they did that with another artist that shall remain nameless

Andre3000 is currently flming a Jimi Hendrix biopic and the Hendrix family is furious.Like the Marvin Gaye movie,it only focuses on one small time period in Hendrix's career.These kinda movies are pointless,imo.I want the whole story!

Agree!

I still would sue!

I hope that a redemption narrative on Marvin Gaye is coming out of this. From what is publicly available about Marvin III I don't know that I put much stock into his take on anything. There is something about the "statement" and the manner in which Lenny was brought up that seems cracky sketchy to me. At the end of the day the facts of Marvin Gaye's life are still the facts, and their telling has the potential to enlighten and uplift. Knowing that the incredible Marvin Gaye's life had particular trials and tribulations could inspire and counsel and strengthen others with those same challenges.

Mathew 10:26 "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops."

Sources say the film would be based off Steve Turner's Marvin biography, which has been criticized for being a tabloidish view of Marvin's life. Then again, so was David Ritz's Marvin biography (in a way).

Having musicians portray other musicians is soooo cheesy

SoulAlive said:

it only focuses on one small time period in Hendrix's career

Well it's not like he had a long career

mjscarousal said:

Having musicians portray other musicians is soooo cheesy

They have to have a reason for people to see the movie.

aardvark15 said:

mjscarousal said:

Having musicians portray other musicians is soooo cheesy

They have to have a reason for people to see the movie.

To see bad acting? Its so corny why not just search for a real actor, its not that hard?

aardvark15 said:

mjscarousal said:

Having musicians portray other musicians is soooo cheesy

They have to have a reason for people to see the movie.

No one's gonna wanna see Lenny Kravitz.

Timmy84 said:

aardvark15 said:

They have to have a reason for people to see the movie.

No one's gonna wanna see Lenny Kravitz.

Big time Lenny Kravitz fans

aardvark15 said:

Timmy84 said:

No one's gonna wanna see Lenny Kravitz.

Big time Lenny Kravitz fans

Besides them...

aardvark15 said:

SoulAlive said:

it only focuses on one small time period in Hendrix's career

Well it's not like he had a long career

Hmm I beg to differ. Hendrix's career started out in the chitlin circuit when he was backing R&B bands and groups and artists. True his career didn't stretch three decades like Marvin's did but he left a lasting imprint pre-Experience days in the R&B field. Plus like Marvin, his childhood was really tragic.

missfee said:

And he has a right to not be happy about it. I wouldn't support it either.

i agree. seems who ever would write a script for a marvin gaye story would focus on his emense writing and singing talents. the movie should highlight the way he added to the success of motown in the 60's.

the album 'what's going on' showed how politcally intune marvin was during that time.

I do not blame marvin's son for being against a film that only focus' on the dark period of his life.

Devil's advocate though, Berry Gordy was tightlipped on having them focus on all the main parts of his life. So the producers felt they had more to work with the one part in his life and make a two-hour movie with it. Problem is they didn't think to contact the legend's family and that's what got me upset. I would've been cool with the film had Marvin's family gave them their consent but since that didn't happen. This sounds like yet another doomed project. Won't Hollywood ever learn?

Timmy84 said:

Sources say the film would be based off Steve Turner's Marvin biography, which has been criticized for being a tabloidish view of Marvin's life. Then again, so was David Ritz's Marvin biography (in a way).

That's too bad if it is "tabloidish" writing being elevated used as the basis for a movie script. One man's trash is another's treasure, I suppose. There just seems to be something creepy about how the information about the movie and Lenny's involvement is coming out. Almost like a Kardashian move on MG IIIs part, and the reality tv show is just around the way. (I hope to be dumb and wrong on that one, I don't know the recipe, I'm just sayin'...)

Prince has an amazing story and history that could be portrayed in a buncha different ways, depending on who is telling the story. Just because I am crazy for P doesn't mean that Sinead or JJ or Andre or The Original 7, or ... don't have a valid right to tell their stories. Or that observers don't have the right to tell these stories giving their spin.

We would never have had "Dreamgirls" if only one side of Berry Gordy's life story was allowed to be told. And there were a lot of people who needed girls to be told.

allsmutaside said:

Timmy84 said:

Sources say the film would be based off Steve Turner's Marvin biography, which has been criticized for being a tabloidish view of Marvin's life. Then again, so was David Ritz's Marvin biography (in a way).

That's too bad if it is "tabloidish" writing being elevated used as the basis for a movie script. One man's trash is another's treasure, I suppose. There just seems to be something creepy about how the information about the movie and Lenny's involvement is coming out. Almost like a Kardashian move on MG IIIs part, and the reality tv show is just around the way. (I hope to be dumb and wrong on that one, I don't know the recipe, I'm just sayin'...)

Prince has an amazing story and history that could be portrayed in a buncha different ways, depending on who is telling the story. Just because I am crazy for P doesn't mean that Sinead or JJ or Andre or The Original 7, or ... don't have a valid right to tell their stories. Or that observers don't have the right to tell these stories giving their spin.

We would never have had "Dreamgirls" if only one side of Berry Gordy's life story was allowed to be told. And there were a lot of people who needed girls to be told.

I wouldn't compare MG III's concerns to anything those idiots do. Just think if a film is being made about a relative or parent that just so happens to be an internationally famous and well renowned musician who later acknowledged that he led a crazy life and you're not consulted immediately about it, you wouldn't just let them film it for the sake of them filming because it's taken 19 years before they actually plan to do a film. I wouldn't care about "oh but so many of our legends' stories don't get told..." after hearing so many back stories of legends like Marvin, Al, Jackie, why would anyone need to redramatize it for film purposes?

free2bfreeda said:

the album 'what's going on' showed how politcally intune marvin was during that time.

Yep that would make for some interesting storytelling. Start to finish, the making of WGO. Either as a documentary, or as a dramatic interpretation, it would compelling stuff. A Spike Lee joint is in order!!

^ Speaking of documentaries, Marvin's baby sister Zeola's got one in the shelves right now. Reason it ain't put out is because Janis Gaye is cockblocking it according to her.

Timmy84 said:

^ Speaking of documentaries, Marvin's baby sister Zeola's got one in the shelves right now. Reason it ain't put out is because Janis Gaye is cockblocking it according to her.

Interesting dilema with the consulting of family members for you right there. What is your recommendation on Frankie's "Marvin Gaye, My Brother?" I found a small excerpt online and I really want to read the whole thing now.

Was MG III consulted about this movie? He seems to have a good amont of information from what he is putting out to the public.

allsmutaside said:

Timmy84 said:

^ Speaking of documentaries, Marvin's baby sister Zeola's got one in the shelves right now. Reason it ain't put out is because Janis Gaye is cockblocking it according to her.

Interesting dilema with the consulting of family members for you right there. What is your recommendation on Frankie's "Marvin Gaye, My Brother?" I found a small excerpt online and I really want to read the whole thing now.

Was MG III consulted about this movie? He seems to have a good amont of information from what he is putting out to the public.

It's good but I think it was still unfinished in some degree in regards to Frank himself. I don't think the books that write about Marvin tell who he really was. Divided Soul was probably the closest though but Marvin Gaye, My Brother was alright.

Timmy84 said:

allsmutaside said:

Interesting dilema with the consulting of family members for you right there. What is your recommendation on Frankie's "Marvin Gaye, My Brother?" I found a small excerpt online and I really want to read the whole thing now.

Was MG III consulted about this movie? He seems to have a good amont of information from what he is putting out to the public.

It's good but I think it was still unfinished in some degree in regards to Frank himself. I don't think the books that write about Marvin tell who he really was. Divided Soul was probably the closest though but Marvin Gaye, My Brother was alright.

OK. Ritz it is. I really need a good book to run barefooted through right now. Used book stores, here I come.

allsmutaside said:

Timmy84 said:

It's good but I think it was still unfinished in some degree in regards to Frank himself. I don't think the books that write about Marvin tell who he really was. Divided Soul was probably the closest though but Marvin Gaye, My Brother was alright.

OK. Ritz it is. I really need a good book to run barefooted through right now. Used book stores, here I come.

I see. Hope you're able to find it lol