Tuesday, March 12, 2013

S. Epatha Merkerson May Play Marvin Gaye's Mom In Biopic

You may not know much about the life of Marvin Gaye, but undoubtedly you're well versed in his hit song "Sexual Healing." Fittingly, Sexual Healing will be the name of the Marvin Gaye biopic penned by Lauren Goodman (A Last Goodbye) and helmed by Julien Temple (Earth Girls Are Easy). The would-be biopic has been bouncing around in development for a while, but seems to be gaining steam as casting news continues to emerge!

Earlier this month, Law & Order star Jesse L. Martin stepped in to replace Lenny Kravitz in the lead role of Gaye. Now Deadline reports Martin's Law & Order co-star S. Epatha Merkerson has entered into talks to join the pic. The celebrated actress whose played Lt. Anita Van Buren for an incredible 19 years is up for the role of Gaye's mother, Alberta. Should she sign on, Merkerson would join a cast that also includes Brendan Gleeson, who'll portray British music promoter Freddy Cousaert.