Tyrese Gibson is getting back to his music roots to portray an R&B icon.
Pendergrass widow, Joan Pendergrass, is on board as an executive producer.
But his life was upended in 1982 when a near-fatal car crash left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Michael Putland/Getty Images
He continued performing for two decades, retired in 2007, and died in 2010.
I am honored to take this journey…
This is the role that I feel I was born to play, Gibson said in a statement.
Teddy Pendergrass embraced me and before he passed, put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story.
Teddy, I just hope we make you, your wife and family proud… A six-time Grammy nominee, Gibson is also known for his work in the blockbusterFast and Furiousfilm franchise.
His upcoming movies include the police dramaBlack & Blueand the ninthF&Fmovie.
