Hollywood hot for music biopics

The latest: Producer Jody Klein, whose company ABKCO owns the soul singer’s recordings and publishing, commissioned the team of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (“Across the Universe,” “The Commitments”) to pen a script. Klein has been taking the finished script to directors for a few months. ABKCO intends to finance the film.

Prognosis: A go project that, with the right star -- there have been rumblings about Anthony Mackie, and Ray Lavender announced a few weeks ago on his Twitter feed that he got the part, but there’s no confirmation -- could be an Oscar contender.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The latest: Franklin told USA Today she has secured “financial and creative control” but to date has not provided details. She has gone on talk shows (“The View,” “Wendy Williams,” “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”) and expressed an interest in having Halle Berry (who passed on the project in January, saying she can’t sing) and Patina Miller from the Broadway musical “Sister Act” to play the young Queen of Soul.

Prognosis: As a TV movie it’s likely, but creative-control issues lurk.  (Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

The latest: After decades of stops and starts with different stars and directors, Screen Daily reported in February that British documentary filmmaker Julien Temple (“Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten”) would tackle the story of Gaye recording his final album, “Midnight Love,” in Brussels, as well as his friendship with the Belgian promoter Freddy Cousaert.

Prognosis: As proposed, this is not the biopic fans want to see. It would have to play extremely well at film festivals to get distribution.  (Doug McKenzie/Getty Images)

The latest: Reese Witherspoon announced in August that she has secured Peggy Lee’s life rights and music rights, and had tapped Nora Ephron would write and direct. Witherspoon would produce and, if her schedule allowed, star as the 1950s songstress. Witherspoon has since taken on two other acting-producing jobs.

Prognosis: Witherspoon’s announcement came out of the blue and was immediately greeted with skepticism - when would she have time to do this? There have been no follow-up reports since the initial announcement.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The latest: Director Jenny Ash is developing a film based on Marley’s year in London, 1977, theoretically circumventing the need for Marley recordings. Greenacre Films is producing.

Prognosis: The Marley estate has declined to give its blessing, making this a very, very tough sell to a distributor. If it gets made without music, it will be a tough sell to a large audience.  (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)