Lenny Kravitz to Play Marvin Gaye in Upcoming Biopic
Marvin Gaye, left, and Lenny Kravitz. Credit: David Redfern/Redferns | Ollie Millington/WireImage/Getty Images.
An icon in his own right, Lenny Kravitz is about to play another. The rocker has signed on to star as Marvin Gaye in an upcoming movie about the R&B legend.
Kravitz's rep confirmed to ABCNews.com that the not-yet-named film will begin production next year and will focus on Gaye's time in Europe during the early '80s, when he was trying to stamp out his substance abuse issues and revive his career. Gaye was shot by his father and died in Los Angeles on April 1, 1984.
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The role marks Kravitz's first steps into movie star status. He's previously taken on supporting roles in "The Hunger Games" series and "Precious," among other films. He also did cameos in "Zoolander" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly."
His isn't the only music biopic on the horizon. A film about Nina Simone is in the works, though the casting of Zoe Saldana as the celebrated soul and jazz singer has stirred controversy.