Lenny Kravitz out, Jesse L. Martin back in as Marvin Gaye in 'Sexual Healing'

Good things come to those who wait, right? Years ago, Law & Order's Jesse L. Martin was set to play legendary R&B crooner Marvin Gaye in Sexual Healing, but he was replaced one the long-developing film by Lenny Kravitz. Now as production is gearing up to begin this month, Deadline reports that Kravitz is out, with Martin again taking center stage.

Back when the film was first proposed, Martin was to star alongside James Gandolfini, who was also on board as a producer. The story, loosely adapted from the book Trouble Man, would take place in 1981 during Gaye's stint in Belgium, where he would record his greatest album, Midnight Love. Gandolfini would have played promoter Freddy Cousaert, but he has now been replaced by Brendan Gleeson.  As for Kravitz, his signing apparently upset Gaye's son, Marvin Gaye III, who lobbied hard for the actor/musician to step down. Looks like he got his wish.

Julian Temple is directing, taking over Lauren Goodman who wrote the script and was planning to helm. So there's been lots of swapping around going on here. For Martin, this could be the sort of role that makes him a star on the big screen, rather than the small. He's had a couple of major Hollywood films, but is mostly known for TV and stage work.