Jesse L. Martin As Marvin Gaye in 'Sexual Healing' Biopic: 'Rent' Actor Replaces Lenny Kravitz, Julien Temple's Marvin Gaye Film Has New Focus?

Move aside Lenny Kravitz, there is a new Marvin Gaye in town. Reports are that actor Jesse L. Martin is replacing Kravitz in the role of Marvin Gaye in the biopic "Sexual Healing." The biopic has been off and on for years with Martin originally tapped to play the role of Gaye when James Gandolfini was producing the movie.

Gandolfini had plans to co-star in the movie, playing music producer Freddy Cousaert. Gandolfini's production stalled, opening the door for rocker Lenny Kravitz to play the lead role in a version directed by Julien Temple. However, as Mstarz reported back in December, Marvin Gaye's adopted son publicly dismissed the movie. Marvin Gaye III went as far as to say the movie was "wrong and shameful."

Gaye III told 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."

Gaye III actually went to school with Kravitz and was reportedly going to try to talk with Kravitz to figure out why the rocker agreed to play the part in a movie that Gaye III thinks is so shameful. The movie was supposed to focus on Gaye's life in the 80's when the "What's Going On" singer battled depression and drug abuse. No wonder Gaye's son was not happy.

It now seems that Gaye III may be getting what he wants. The Hollywood Reporter is saying that the film now follows Gaye's life when he is trying to get his career back on track with the help of music producer Freddy Cousaert. The biopic is supposed to start filming in late March.

Lenny Kravitz may be a bigger name, but Martin is an accomplished actor and has worked on Broadway as Tom Collins in "Rent." Martin has appeared in popular TV shows such as "Law & Order," "The X-Files," and NBC's current hit "Smash."

Who would you rather have playing Marvin Gaye? Lenny Kravitz or Jesse L. Martin? Comment below to let us know what you think!