CANNES: Terrence Howard In Talks To Play Cameron Crowe’s Marvin Gaye
EXCLUSIVE: The actor tells me he has been talking to Cameron Crowe about starring as soul singer Marvin Gaye. Crowe has been working for 3½ years on the Sony biopic. The director has gone back to the drawing board after Will Smith turned down the role. Mowtown founder Berry Gordy Jr. is supporting the project, which has secured rights to Gaye’s music. Scott Rudin is attached as producer. Howard, of course, is a singer himself. Marvin Gaye was one of the influences on his debut album Shine Through It. “Nothing’s been signed on paper yet,” Howard tells me. “Everybody who loves music will hate me if I get this one wrong.”
too… many… biopics…
Howard is a terrible choice for the role. He doesn’t look the part – too thick, too light, doesn’t have Marvin’s winning smile and sly sexiness. Jesse L. Martin would do a much better job. If a director wanted to take a risk on a singer in the role – try Maxwell or Lenny Kravitz. I don’t know too many Marvin Gaye fans who would want to see Terrence Howard playing Marvin Gaye. I shudder just thinking of it.
Speaking strictly as a straight man … if you don’t think Howard has a sort of sly sexiness, you should check out his performance in The Best Man. He was the best thing about the film and it was that role that let audiences know he was a force to be reckoned with.
Trevor Anderson of Movie Mavericks gives the film 2 ½ stars out of 4.
Prince of Hitsville, is the story of events leading up to making one of the greatest albums ever. The film doesn’t have time to cover all of Gaye’s life; instead it smartly opts to show a small but important part of it. Drama ensues as Gaye fights with the music studio to put out his political album. Throughout all of this he must deal with his brother coming home from Vietnam and over-dosing on drugs. But all of this only makes Marvin stronger and more diligent in getting his new album released. Talent can be seen in Will Dalton, playing the lead. Director and writer Larry “Syid” Wright does a good job of weaving music into the story, for obvious reasons the songs are original and not those of Gaye’s. But the music is still enjoyable.
Howard looks nothing like Marvin Gaye…Jesse L. Martin from Law&Order is a dead ringer. Also not sure how good an actor he is but Common (Just Wright), resembles him more as well.
If you’re making a movie about Marvin Gaye and Jesse L Martin isn’t your lead…you’re doing it wrong.
What is wrong with you people. Don’t you know there is only one real story and you don’t have it. You can get it if you really want to have the real deal. Do some research. Where are the sisters,Zeola and Jeanne Gaye!!!! They can tell you what really happend and why!!!!If you want a real Marvin try Leon!!!!!
Leon has played in Five Heart Beats, Temptations and Lil Richard..he’s done enough biopic films.
Awesome! I like Don Cheadle as well but one of the worst things they did was fire Howard for Iron Man 2. Terrance is a fantastic actor. He’s got my vote.
You can’t be serious. Terrence is a good actor, but Jesse L Martin was born for this role.
I don’t think Crowe should be directing this at all! Far too many people want to see a movie on Marvin Gaye, despite the fact that it will not be 3D, for Crowe to be director of choice. I don’t like the fact that Gordy gave his blessing to this project, that means that he will be portrayed in a flattering manner, even though he shelved many of Marvin’s projects, down played Tammi Terrell’s illness to sell Marvin and Tammi records, and refused to release “What’s Going On”. There is a reason “Sexual Healing,” the movie staring Jesse L. Martin focuses on the last 2 years of his life, Gordy would not come up off the music rights. Sexual Healing, the song, was an RCA release and does not require Gordy’s permission. People wondered about interest in Ray Charles’ life—as Jamie Foxx what he thought at the time. No one ever asks if anyone would be interested in a biopic on The Rolling Stones or The Doors. Honestly, if a biopic on Notorious B.I.G. Can see the big screen, a biopic on Marvin Gaye should be allowed half a chance. BTW, I don’t think Terrence Howard should play him, either. I think this a breakout movie for an unknown. That’s just my opinion!
Please… not Howard. Jesse L Martin… he even looks like Marvin a little bit.