Allen Hughes to Direct Marvin Gaye Biopic ‘What’s Going On’

Allen Hughes is ready to direct “What’s Going On,” a biopic concerning the late legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye at Warner Bros., in accordance with a person with information of the challenge.

Hughes will even produce the challenge with Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine and Andrew Lazar.

The script was written by poet and playwright Marcus Gardley and purchased by the studio. Motown and the late singer’s property had been a part of the deal, permitting the usage of Gaye’s signature songs.

The movie has a finances north of $80 million — probably the most ever for an African American music biopic. Jan Gaye, the late singer’s widow, is government producing the movie together with Suzanne de Passe. Casting is at present underway for the actor to painting Gaye within the movie, which is able to start manufacturing in 2022 for a 2023 launch.

The “What’s Going On” album, which turned 50 final month, was impressed by Gaye’s upbringing in Detroit and his private ties to the Vietnam War, the place his brother served within the navy. The title monitor was initially written as a protest music in opposition to the conflict, however has since develop into an anthem for different social justice causes just like the Black Lives Matter motion.

Marvin Gaye was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 for his contribution to soul music and the Motown sound. Rolling Stone ranked the “What’s Going On” album No. 6 on its checklist of the highest 500 albums of all time, and named Gaye No. 18 on its checklist of the highest 100 artists of all time. He was honored with a lifetime achievement award on the 1996 Grammy Awards.

Gaye died in 1984, sooner or later earlier than turning 45, after being shot within the chest by his father within the household’s Los Angeles dwelling.

Hughes is repped by WME and Hansen Jacobson.

Deadline first reported the information.