Remembering Marvin Gaye born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984

 As much as Marvin Gay(e) is remembered to this day, the more he remains an enigma. By definition an enigma is a mystery wrapped up in a riddle. 

 We still listen to his music and there are many controversies, stories and now copyright litigation.  

 Everyone speaks of making a movie, Broadway musical, writing books and yet there is no definitive showcase about Marvin Gay(e) – he is ever more so an enigma.. 

 In 2013, there was a Trailer Proposal and even a Trailer for the “Sexual Healing” Biopic, yet when one researches various movie production data bases you come up with; “Not yet released, Status Unknown, Production Stalled and worst yet, Focus Features is reportedly no longer involved.

And so, Marvin Gay(e) is even more an enigma –what a shame…

Whether anyone agrees on which period in Marvin Gay(e)’s life to focus upon, what is fact and what is fiction or a combination therein, the movie Sexual Healing” , more of a docu-drama and this film focuses on the later years of Marvin Gay(e) as he lived in Europe, putting his past drug abuse behind him and wrote his hit song Sexual Healing, along with promoter Freddy Cousaert.

Being a Producer/Director, I had a couple of treatment ideas of other eras, however there is so much controversy, copyright disputes, media mismanagement and so forth making any effort almost impossible to approach..

However, at this stage of the game – anyone’s effort is better than nothing at all…

There was even talk of Lenny Kravitz starring Marvin Gay(e), but he either dropped out and or was asked not play the role. I hear different versions as to what happened, but I just shake my head.

Ironically, Jesse L. Martin was cast twice for the role of Marvin Gay(e) and the first attempt was to be directed by Lauren Goodman. James Gandolfini was cast as Freddy Cousaert and was also going to produce the film. But the project stalled. … Marvin Gay(e)’s enigma continues..

With all that was happening and all that is now happening, I quote the late P.T. Barnum, “no publicity is bad publicity – just spell the name right”..

The second movie attempt, “Sexual Healing” was to be Directed by Julien Temple, written by Matthew Broughton and starred; Brendan Gleeson as Freddie Cousant, Jesse L. Martin as Marvin Gay(e), Clarke Peters as Harvey Fuqua, S. Epatha Maerkerson as Alberta Gay, Dwight Henry as Marvin Gy Sr., Vicky Krieps as Eugnie Vis, Rowena King as Marilyn, and Alarica Gallacher as Janis Gay(e)

The Storyline was a look at the last years of Marvin Gay(e)'s life, from his parting ways with Motown and self-imposed exile to Europe, to his relationship with Freddy Cousaert, the promoter who guided the singer through the recording of his biggest-selling album, Midnight Love.

The film was to focus upon the later years of Marvin Gaye as he lived in Europe, putting his past drug abuse behind him and wrote his hit song Sexual Healing, along with promoter Freddy Cousaert..

However, this production is “Not yet released, Status Unknown, Production Stalled and worst yet, Focus Features is reportedly no longer involved.

And so, Marvin Gay(e) is even more an enigma –what a shame…

http://thechurchladyblogs.com/marvi-gaye-sexual-healing/