After bringing the story of Ray Charles to life on the silver screen in 2004, Jamie Foxx will sit in the producer's chair to create a limited series about the life of soul music icon Marvin Gaye.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will be produced alongside de Passe Jones Entertainment's Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones, who will then shop the production to various linear and digital outlets.
"We've been involved in a number of attempts to get this done, and now that we've been able to marshal all the forces, and Jamie's come on board as a partner, we're excited to get going," de Passe told the publication.
Both she and Jones are currently in talks with Sony/ATV to determine what songs from Gaye's catalogue will be used.
The series will also mark the first time Gaye's family has given the green light to a biopic on the singer's life, having previously denied authorization to the likes of F. Gary Gray, Lenny Kravitz, Julien Temple and more.
Jones described the series and the authorization process as a "labour of love for three decades," while Gaye's son and executive producer, Marvin Gaye III, called it a powerful and definitive telling of Marvin Gaye's life story."
"I've been a huge fan my whole life. His brilliance in music unparalleled," Foxx told The Hollywood Reporter. "Marvin Gaye's story has always fascinated me."
The series also has the blessing of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr., who signed Gaye to the label in 1961. "Marvin was the truest artist I have ever known," he said. "I am confident that this is the right team to bring his story to the audience in an authentic and compelling way."
Gaye found success with Motown in the 1970s, exploring social issues and sexual subjects on popular works such as 1971's What's Going On and 1973's Let's Get It On. He was shot and killed by his father in Los Angeles at age 44.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will be produced alongside de Passe Jones Entertainment's Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones, who will then shop the production to various linear and digital outlets.
"We've been involved in a number of attempts to get this done, and now that we've been able to marshal all the forces, and Jamie's come on board as a partner, we're excited to get going," de Passe told the publication.
Both she and Jones are currently in talks with Sony/ATV to determine what songs from Gaye's catalogue will be used.
The series will also mark the first time Gaye's family has given the green light to a biopic on the singer's life, having previously denied authorization to the likes of F. Gary Gray, Lenny Kravitz, Julien Temple and more.
Jones described the series and the authorization process as a "labour of love for three decades," while Gaye's son and executive producer, Marvin Gaye III, called it a powerful and definitive telling of Marvin Gaye's life story."
"I've been a huge fan my whole life. His brilliance in music unparalleled," Foxx told The Hollywood Reporter. "Marvin Gaye's story has always fascinated me."
The series also has the blessing of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr., who signed Gaye to the label in 1961. "Marvin was the truest artist I have ever known," he said. "I am confident that this is the right team to bring his story to the audience in an authentic and compelling way."
Gaye found success with Motown in the 1970s, exploring social issues and sexual subjects on popular works such as 1971's What's Going On and 1973's Let's Get It On. He was shot and killed by his father in Los Angeles at age 44.