What's goin' on? First look at Jesse L. Martin as Marvin Gaye in 'Sexual Healing'

The Cannes Film Festival isn't just where many of the year's most eagerly-awaited films will unspool for the first time. It's also where studios will be shopping many of their projects in hopes of securing investors and distribution, and one of those films that will be making the rounds on the Croisette is Sexual Healing, Julien Temple's Marvin Gaye biopic.

The first image from the film has been revealed, and it features star Jesse L. Martin in a shot that closely resembles the cover to Gaye's 1971 album, What's Going On. After a bit of behind-the-scenes shuffling that saw Lenny Kravitz and James Gandolfini drop out, the film has moved forward with Martin, Brendan Gleeson, S. Epatha Merkerson, Dwight Henry, and rising star Vicky Krieps starring. Gleeson will play Freddy Cousaert, who in 1981 helped Gaye overcome his drug habit and record his seminal album, Midnight Love.

Filming is currently underway, albeit in the midst of a two week hiatus as location issues are sorted out. Look for Sexual Healing to be a major force on the festival circuit early next year. [Screen Daily]