Legendary musicians Marvin Gaye and Sammy Dave Jr. lives are to end up on the big screen for the latest in a string of biopics to come out of Hollywood.

Firstly, the soul man, Marvin Gaye has successfully moved into development thanks to Hip Hop god and savvy businessman, Dr Dre. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, has been more successful than most in trying to get a biopic off the ground on the singer’s life. Previous attempts have all been thwarted by the Gaye estate.

Sony/ATV music publishing, (who currently hold the rights for Gayes catalogue of music) has confirmed that Dre has won the rights to use the music.

Dre acted as a producer on Straight Outta Compton, the biopic which focused on his own rise to fame in the hip-hop group NWA.

Also in the news – Spotlight helmer Tom McCarthy in talks to direct feature adaptation of podcast S-Town

Another biopic which has been fast-tracked down at Paramount is one which focuses on the life of actor/singer/dancer and all-round entertainer, Sammy Davis Jr.

Sources say development is well underway on the picture with Paramount actively looking for a writer and director for the feature. Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the story will be based in large part on the 1965 memoir Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. that he penned with Jane and Burt Boyar.

Lionel Richie, who was fundamental in gaining the rights for the story, will also act as a producer alongside Mike Menchel.

On bringing the story to the big screen, Ritchie said: “I cannot tell you how excited I am about the signing of the Sammy Davis Jr. project with Paramount, I knew and loved Sammy dearly.”

With both films currently in the early stages of development, no scheduled release date has been set.