Lenny Kravitz Drops Out of Marvin Gaye Biopic

By Rolling Stone | Rolling Stone – Tue, Mar 5, 2013 11:00 AM EST

Lenny Kravitz has dropped out of the long-anticipated Marvin Gaye biopic Sexual Healing, to be replaced by Law & Order alumnus Jesse L. Martin. 

Directed by Julien Temple, the film has long been in the works, but is finally set to begin filming later this month in Europe, Deadline Hollywood reports. Martin, who also appeared in the stage and film version of the musical Rent, was actually attached to star in a previous version of the film being produced by James Gandolfini back in 2008.

100 Greatest Singers: Marvin Gaye

No word was given for why Kravitz has bowed out, though news last November that the rocker would be portraying Gaye reportedly led to objections from the singer's son,  Marvin Gaye III, who threatened legal action if Kravitz did not drop out. 

Sexual Healing reportedly focuses on Gaye's time in Europe during the 1980s as he attempted to curb his addictions and re-start his career with the help of British promoter Freddy Cousaert, who will be played by Brendan Gleason.

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This article originally appeared on Rolling Stone: Lenny Kravitz Drops Out of Marvin Gaye Biopic

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