Don't let Charlie Puth get it twisted. Marvin Gaye was an untouchable legend, not some throwaway reference for abysmally shitty pop music. That's why, until today, efforts over the decades to bring Gaye's life story to screens big and small have failed. But with Jamie Foxx on board as executive producer, a limited series on the late musical icon is now (finally) a reality.
Foxx will executive produce alongside the singer's son Marvin Gaye III and de Passe Jones Entertainment, the Hollywood Reporter announced Wednesday. The series, which will be shopped to both digital and traditional TV platforms, is the first such project to have been given the blessing of the Gaye family and Motown founder Berry Gordy.
"I've been a huge fan my whole life," Foxx said in a statement. "His brilliance in music is unparalleled. Marvin Gaye's story has always fascinated me." Though finally getting the go-ahead has taken roughly three decades, Gordy is confident that Foxx and company are the right ones for the job.
"Marvin was the truest artist I have ever known," Gordy added. "I am confident that this is the right team to bring his story to the audience in an authentic and compelling way."
Thanks to that family blessing and Foxx's high-profile, this means Gaye's actual music will also (most likely) be included. According to THR, producer Madison Jones and the de Passe team are currently in early discussions with Sony/ATV about locking down the necessary rights. Though no additional details about the untitled series have been announced, we can probably expect development to move pretty quickly.
