Marvin Gaye's ex-wife has urged Jesse L. Martin to follow in Lenny Kravitz's footsteps by quitting an upcoming movie about the late singer.

Janis Hunter, who was married to the star from 1977 to 1981, is furious about plans to document Gaye's life in a new biopic called Sexual Healing, which will be directed by British filmmaker Julien Temple.

Rocker Kravitz recently quit the lead role and was replaced by the former Law & Order star, who had previously been attached to the project in its early stages, and Hunter has now urged Martin to walk away from the movie.

She tells the New York Daily News, "Ultimately, I think it was Lenny's heart and soul and conscience that caused him to step away. Hopefully, that touches Jesse in the same way."

Hunter is also angry about a play called My Brother Marvin, based on the book of the same name by the singer's sister Zeola Gaye, which is currently touring the U.S.

She adds, "I don't think Marvin is a very happy spirit right now. This is the last thing he would want to have happen...

"I haven't read the script (of the play), but it's supposed to be based on (Zeola Gaye's) book and I did read the book from cover to cover, and it was very difficult to read."

The Sexual Healing hitmaker was shot dead by his father during an altercation in 1984.