February 2008 | blackfilm.com | features

JESSE L. MARTIN news
Martin is finally set to play legendary singer Marvin Gaye in 'Sexual Healing' with James Gandofini

Source: Variety

February 1, 2008

James Gandolfini will join Jesse L. Martin in the indie feature “Sexual Healing,” which chronicles the last years of singer Marvin Gaye’s life. Lauren Goodman will helm from a screenplay she based loosely on Steven Turner’s book “Trouble Man.” Story covers the life of Gaye (Martin) from his parting with Motown to his self-imposed exile in Europe and will include his relationship with Freddy Cousaert (Gandolfini), the promoter who guided the singer through the recording of his biggest-selling album, “Midnight Love.”

Project will be produced by Gandolfini’s company, Attaboy Films. Gary Hamilton’s Arclight Films will exec produce and handle international sales for the $15 million project.

Gandolfini and Alexandra Ryan are producing for Attaboy alongside Ayo Davis, Efuru Flowers and Roger Haber. Victor Syrmis and Hamilton exec produce.

Shooting will begin April 15 and take place in Massachusetts; Ostend, Belgium; and Los Angeles.

Arclight will introduce the film to distributors at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.

Gandolfini is filming Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna.”

Martin (“Law & Order”) starred in the Tony Award-winning musical “Rent” and its bigscreen adaptation.