Marvin Gaye's Life Might Finally Get The Film Treatment

Marvin Gaye’s family is infamous for taking legal action against those who use the late singer’s name, likeness, or music without permission. But, for the first time, all three of Gaye’s surviving children and his ex-wife have authorized a documentary about the singer’s life.

According to Variety, Marvin, What’s Going On? will focus on the creation of Gaye’s 1971 album, What’s Going On, and will be filmed in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Washington. In a joint statement, the late singer’s children said:

“We would like to express our excitement about the upcoming documentary feature film about our father and the creation of his amazing What’s Going On album. We are proud that his relevance remains intact, and we look forward to being a part of this cinematic journey. Our father was complex, but we are confident that with Noah Media Group’s attention to detail and their dedication to the truth, the positive, inspirational and aspirational aspects of his life will be handled and shared with the world in a way never seen before.We look forward to participating and sharing what we can through friends, family, photos, footage and priceless stories that only those who knew our father up close and personal would know, as well as his contemporaries, purists and fans who have studied him and his art over decades. ’What’s Going On?’…something many of us find ourselves asking today, 45 years later. Peace.”

The documentary is set to go into production later this year.

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.