Gandolfini, Martin sign on for Marvin Gaye biopic

Washington (ANI): Sapranos star James Gandolfini has signed up to star alongside Jesse L. Martin in the indie feature Sexual Healing. The pic, which chronicles the last years of singer Marvin Gaye, is being helmed by Lauren Goodman. Goodman is directing from a script she penned herself, and which is loosely based on Steven Turner's book “Trouble Man."

The movie will cover Gaye's life from after he parted with Motown to his self-imposed exile in Europe and will include his relationship with Freddy Cousaert the promoter who guided the singer through the recording of his biggest-selling album, Midnight Love.

Martin will be playing Gaye while Gandolfini takes on the role of Cousaert, reports Variety. Gandolfini and Alexandra Ryan are producing through their Attaboy Films shingle alongside Ayo Davis, Efuru Flowers and Roger Haber.

Gary Hamilton"s Arclight Films and Victor Syrmis will exec produce. Arclight Films will also handle international sales for the 15 million dollar project. Shooting will begin April 15 and take place in Massachusetts; Ostend, Belgium; and Los Angeles.