American rapper and entrepreneur Dr Dre is working on a movie about the legendary singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye, Variety reported. Dre has reportedly secured the approval of the Gaye family estate and the rights use to his music, which includes such hits as What’s Going On, Sexual Healing, and Let’s Get It On. Dre is “in the early stages of getting the project off the ground”, Variety said.
Gaye was one of American record company Motown’s most successful artists, helping shape the sound that the label represented. He died in 1984 at the age of 44 after he was shot by his father following a family dispute. Gaye posthumously received several awards and accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also included in the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Dre is the latest to attempt a biopic about the legendary musician. Several filmmakers and actors previously tried to bring Gaye’s life to the screen, including F Gary Gray, Cameron Crowe, James Gandolfini, Scott Rudin, but they failed to get the approval of the Gaye family estate. In 2016, actor Jamie Foxx announced a limited series on the musician, but its progress is unclear.
A documentary about Gaye’s life directed by Gabriel Clarke and Torquil Jones and titled What’s Going On was also scheduled to be released in 2017, but is reportedly still in development.
Dre (his real name is Andre Young) was one of the four original members of the rap group NWA. He produced the Oscar-nominated film Straight Outta Crompton (2015), which chronicles NWA’s musical journey. Dre has also appeared in several films including Training Day (2001) and The Wash (2001).