What Do We Know About Aronofsky’s Noah?

The cool thing about James Cameron’s “Titanic” (1997) was that because of the discovery of the actual RMS Titanic in 1985 by Dr. Robert Ballard there was tons of new data and a physical structure to study.  This helped the filmmakers re-envision the physics of the sinking ship as well as intertwine some actual photography of the ship woven into the film narrative itself.  Stinkin’ cool is what we call that!

Darren The Black Swan Aronofsky’s ark will have no such thing.  Despite the April 2010 “discovery” of Noah’s Ark and the later debunking of that find, the Ark is still persona non presente.  They’ve even got it narrowed down to a specific region on a specific Mountain in Turkey.  And still…bupkiss.  And so, while Aronofsky will provide us an epic film, it won’t have the same Documentary style underpinnings of TITANIC nor should we expect the biblical authenticity of Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ”.  No, this film will lean towards a sci-fi/fantasy narrative based (loosely?) on the Biblical mythos.

Here is what Aronofsky told IFC about Noah last summer:

“I don’t think [the tale of Noah is] a very religious story. I think it’s a great fable that’s part of so many different religions and spiritual practices. I just think it’s a great story that’s never been on film… I want to make a big [Roland Emmerich-style] event film, and I think ['Noah'] can be that.”

So, there’s that.  But it still has all the makings of a great film.  For starters, it’s got a reportedly $130M budget.  That’s nothing to sneeze at.  And then you look at the A-list cast helming this film, starting with the Master and Commander himself, Russel Crowe.

Release Date: March 28, 2014
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Screenwriter: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel, John Logan
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Saoirse Ronan, Douglas Booth, Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins
Budget: $130 Million
Genre: Drama

Plot Summary: ”Noah” is a close adaptation of the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save creation from the coming flood.

If you haven’t seen the concept/pitch video from the French Comic that Aronofsky put out, take a look…

So we’ve got our Noah, Russell Crowe…

 And rejoining Crowe after their awesome performances in “A Beautiful Mind” together, we’ve got Noah’s Wife, Jennifer Connelly…

 This dude, Ray Winstone, will be playing a villain in some capacity…

And Hannibal Lecter, Sir Anthony Hopkins, has recently joined the cast as Methuselah (who is one of the oldest humans in the Bible over 900 years old)…

Mmm.  When 900 years old you become, look as good you will not.  Wrong, Yoda! The World’s Fastest Indian is looking dead sexy!

As they move into production, expect more stills to surface, but for now, Paramount and Aronofsky have released a couple of behind-the-scenes photos of set construction on the massive Ark.

And this one..

The 43-year-old Aronofsky has been quoted as saying this is a dream project of his since he was 13 years old.  My friend Jeremy and I can relate.  We’ve also dreamt of bringing this large scale project to life on the big screen.  Are we worried that Aronofsky and his cool comics and his academy awardwinning cast and his $130M budget are going to steal our thunder?

Nah.  We kewl.  We kewl.

We’re just biding our time.  Because honestly, to make a Noah film that’s not a religious picture is akin to making a Race car movie without cars.  A romantic comedy without a love interest.  An end times movie without Kirk Cameron.  It just cannot be done.  Nay, should not be done.

Meanwhile, if the Christian Lara Croft could get out to Mount Ararat and FIND US AN ARK…that would be very helpful to our cause.

Let’s make a movie!

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