Terrence Howard declined participation in the Marvin Gaye biopic due to unknown reasons.
Rewritten Article:
Terrence Howard openly discusses a major professional misstep that haunts him to this day - turning down a chance to portray music legend Marvin Gaye in a biopic. The candid conversation took place on the Club Random podcast with Bill Maher.
As an Empire star, Howard confessed he passed on a Lee Daniels-directed Gaye biopic because he found himself ill-at-ease with portraying rumors about the singer's sexuality. His decision was especially challenging given a previous invitation from Smokey Robinson for Howard to play him in another biopic.
Howard explained that he remained faithful to Lee Daniels, as he had given him his word, even though telling Robinson about his decision broke his heart. Maher suggested that a Marvin Gaye film might have provided a more riveting narrative, considering the artist's turbulent life and tragic demise.
"You would have slayed as Marvin Gaye," Maher praised.
The conversation with Quincy Jones further solidified Howard's doubts. Jones' revelation that Gaye was indeed gay made Howard realize he couldn't fully commit to the role.
Expressing his discomfort with faking emotional or physical authenticity for roles, Howard was adamant that he couldn't kiss a man on screen.
"Nah, man. Because I don't fake it. I'd chop off my lips," he stated, causing Maher to admit, "Neither could I."
Although Howard joked that the thought of on-screen lip-locking was a deal-breaker, his reasons for declining the role talked about embracing one's boundaries.
For those not well-versed, Marvin Gaye stands among the greatest voices Motown has ever nurtured, contributing chart-topping hits like "What's Going On," "Sexual Healing," and "Let's Get It On." Through his soulful melodies, Gaye heavily influenced the musical landscape, shaping conversations around love, politics, and social issues.
In 1984, Gaye's life ended tragically when his father took his life. His legacy continues to resonate with artists across generations, leaving fans to ponder what might have been if Howard had assumed Gaye's iconic persona on the big screen.
- Terrence Howard admitted on the Club Random podcast with Bill Maher that he regretfully turned down a chance to portray Marvin Gaye in a biopic, a role directed by Lee Daniels.
- Howard's decision to decline the Gaye biopic was influenced by his discomfort with portraying rumors about the singer's sexuality, despite an earlier invitation from Smokey Robinson to play him in another biopic.
- Maher suggested that a Marvin Gaye film might have provided a more riveting narrative, considering the artist's turbulent life and tragic demise.
- Howard's conversation with Quincy Jones further solidified his doubts, as Jones' revelation that Gaye was indeed gay made Howard realize he couldn't fully commit to the role.
- Howard expressed his discomfort with faking emotional or physical authenticity for roles, stating that he couldn't kiss a man on screen.
- Marvin Gaye, a significant figure in Motown's history, is known for his chart-topping hits like "What's Going On," "Sexual Healing," and "Let's Get It On," and his influence on music and pop-culture is still felt today.
