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EXCLUSIVE: I’m told that town is tantalized by a package circulating with Darren Aronofsky directing Noah, an edgy re-telling of the Noah’s Ark story. Aronofsky wrote a script that is getting a rewrite by John Logan. I’ve heard he wants $130 million to make it and that New Regency is eyeing a co-financing role. Suitors considering stepping up for the other half include Paramount and Fox, as well as Summit, I’ve heard. It was described to me as a big fantasy epic, and an opportunity for Aronofsky to create a world. He’s very passionate about it and wants to make it next film, after dropping out of The Wolverine. Aronofsky’s got more heat on him than ever after directing the spectacularly profitable Black Swan, which grossed $315 million worldwide on a $12 million budget. His move toward Noah comes after Aronofsky recently flirted with Exodus, the 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment-produced telling of the story of Moses, his defiance of the Pharoah and delivery of the Hebrews from enslavement. That script was written by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage. Beyond an ill-advised morphing of the Noah’s Ark story into the Universal spinoff comedy Evan Almighty, nobody has tried to tell the Noah’s Ark story in as ambitious a manner as Aronofsky intends. Will a studio step up to help Aronofsky build this boat on as grand a scale as he desires? Stayed tuned. Aronofsky and Logan are repped by CAA.
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130 million? This sounds out of control already.
That’s so we can REALLY feel the self-mutilation that Aronofsky knows and LOVES!
Half of the film is Noah talking to himself and digging splinters out of his hands with a dull spoon.
Can’t wait!
“An edgy re-telling of the Noah’s Ark story”?
The animals originally get on the ark three by three. But, well, some of them get hungry…
I don’t know about “edgy”, but if they tell the story of Noah as a historical character, as opposed to the traditional Christian biblical character, then it could certainly be controversial. There are many different historical texts, Gnostic and Arabic, that make a reference to “a man and his family that survived a great flood.” Many religious scholars believe these texts are all referencing the same person and that there really was a great flood, probably a large tsunami, that washed away a lot of land. If they approach the story from that standpoint, as opposed to the fantastical version that has Noah building an ark large enough to fit 2 of every animal on it, then it could be interesting. The “edgy” reference might have to do with deviating from fundamental Christian doctrine, and we know there are a lot of people in this country that can’t handle that and have a freak out. We’ll see.
Say whaaaaaaaat?!
I want a big fucking boat with some big fucking waves!
Me too! I’m with you. I think it will be great! Can’t wait to it!
A movie about Noah as a historical figure would make as much sense as a movie about the Easter Bunny as a historical figure. Because the likelihood of a man who built an ark and then fit every animal IN THE WORLD(!!!) on it and they all survived while the oceans rose above the highest mountains (where did the water go???) is about as believable as a bunny going around the world and delivering chocolate eggs to all the kids.
Try reading comments before responding to them.
The man clearly said that there are historical documents referring to a “man who built an ark during a great flood” – which is very true – and then said that the film would NOT be the traditional Christian story from the Bible.
Outside of an Islamic society, the US is the MOST religious society on the planet… so when stuff on a big media scale is outside of their comfort zone, it gets dicey.
Regardless of what one THINKS about Mel Gibson’s THE PASSION he told the story as most “know it” since most people haven’t read the text and then have an understanding of how brutal Romans were (take a look a Caliguila for a smattering of it).
Never too keen on DA’s work; he has contempt for his characters…
You mean JEWISH TORAH character, right? Christianity wasn’t invented for another several thousand years (around 150-200 C.E).
Both the Moses and the Noah story are bogus folklore. Who wants to see that? Make a movie about something that really happened.
There’s always someone instigating for no good reason. Do you get off purposely deriding something even though the context doesn’t call for it? This is simply an article about a movie, why bring in your collateral beliefs in a condescending way?
Yea Oscar tell a story that really happened kinda like Transformers or Pirates of the Caribbean right? idiot.
Yeah! As we know, it’s not like people ever go to movies to see fiction. Look at the 20 most successful movies of all time, all of them are un-narrated documentaries. When will Hollywood learn that people go to the movies to learn and not for escapism!
Audrey, I would be very grateful if you’d tell me where you found the list of twenty best un-narrated documentaries. Am doing a pitch for one soon, and it could be invaluable. They’re not easy movies to sell. Thanks, JD
Good deadpan, JD. I hope.
oh JD, JD, JD …
try reading her message again..
toats. fiction has no place in movies.
Sure, because every good movie is about something that actually happened.
Your comment is unneeded.You just wanted to let everyone know you were atheist.
“Bogus” folklore?As opposed to what?True folklore?
Get a life.Whether you believe it or not, it’s an interesting story that would make a great film.
You’re an idiot. This isn’t the documentary forum.
Oh boy. Oscar. I would like to respond to your unusual post in so many ways, but I think I’ll stick to fact and diplomacy with the hope that you’ll learn from this experience.
Current W.W.B.O. for another movie I’m certain you would consider “bogus folklore”, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, is $611,899,420.
Thank you for playing…
Oscar, in case you didn’t get the message, everyone thinks your comment was stupid. Please think before you post again.
Oscar, could you be any more of a douche? For one, just to break it to you, Star Wars isn’t based on real life (it’s a bummer, I know). Two, you don’t actually know that this never happened. Many people (myself among them) do believe it happened. But whether you do or you don’t doesn’t matter. What matters is that the story could make an excellent movie.
like Star Wars–or something.
Bc black swan really happened……….
“Make a movie about something that really happened.”
Right. So you don’t see ANY movies – ever – unless they’re based on true stories?
Fascinating.
This film will invert Aronofsky’s typical theme – psychological implosion – if the world around this guy literally goes to hell. But the one person focus sounds right for him.
I am mildly intrigued – but how to address the God bit? and allegorical comparisons to recent events like Katrina or several tsunamis?
This town has completely lost it’s marbles.
Who wants an “edgy” retelling of some fairy tale?
Um. Apparently you’ve missed the last 100 years of cinema, considering that pretty much 75% of every film made in the last century are “edgy re-tellings of fairy tales”.
Remember, for every successful film of his… there’s been a poorly received one. And to be honest, though I dig Aronofsky, I think he just got lucky with people catching on to Black Swan, to folks embracing it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s phenomenal, but it’s off-putting to many, it’s odd, and it’s far from mainstream. Requiem was intense, beautiful, bold, but not a “hit” by any means. PI was in the same category, and as for that Hugh Jackman flick, well, no. Then there’s Black Swan, and now this… for $130 mill? C’mooooooooooooon……………….. studios really throwing that much at ‘em to do whatever he wants?! Wow. They really delude themselves into thinking there’s no creativity out there other than whoever gets nominated for an award, and the studios also by into who is “cool in town”. Yeah, you all know what I mean. Saying you have Aronofsky sounds great at a lunch, but you gotta make sure it carries weight at the box office, and truth is Black Swan was a surprise, not an expectation…
Actually, “Pi” was one of the most profitable films of all time when you compare budget to total gross.
Requiem for a Dream must have done huge DVD sales since pretty much everyone I ever met in college had a copy, even non-film nerds.
The Fountain was indeed a big loser, though I personally think it’s a masterpiece.
The Wrestler made money and was very well received.
Black Swan was Fox’s highest grossing release of 2010.
So, other than The Fountain, where are Aronofsky’s “misses?”
Um. Apparently you’ve never seen ANY Aranofsky movies but “The Fountain”.
“Pi” – huge profit, mega-success critically, cult classic.
“Requiem for a Dream” – mega-success critically, huge profit for its budget, huge DVD-sales, cult classic – everyone’s seen it.
“The Wrestler” – huge profit, mega-success critically, nominated for Best Picture, cult classic.
“Black Swan” – made $315 million on a $12 mil budget, Fox’s biggest grossing pic of 2010, Best Actress winner, nominated for Best Picture.
The ONLY film Aranofsky’s made that could be called “poorly received” was “The Fountain” – and even that only got MIXED reviews – and yes, failed at the box office, but is now considered a cult classic by many film geeks for its imagery alone.
So out of FIVE films, only ONE has been “poorly received” – and even that one not so much.
So tell us, why do you write comments about things you don’t even have the courtesy to research?
Aronofsky + Logan = Match made in heaven.
Unfortunately, I’m a rational human being and so I know that heaven does not exist — nor do magical arks — which means that this film must be intended for people on this planet who still believe in almighty ghosts. How sad is that?
Yes, “magical arks” multiple flying, sparkly, genie arks…just like it was described in the Bible.
“I’m a rational human being so I KNOW heaven does not exist” — Really? You know it for a fact? That’s rational to you, to say you know something without the ability to prove it? Atheists are just as hypocritical and full of their own self-soothing as right wing fundy’s.
I personally can’t wait to see a lot of over the shoulder, hand-held shots of Noah walking around on an ark.
ZING! Point for BC / Zero for “Rational” Human. Sorry RH, you lose.
Not sad. Don’t feel for us. bb
LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT.
YOU’RE A “RATIONAL HUMAN BEING” AND DON’T BELIEVE IN “MAGICAL FLYING ARKS”….
…BUT YOU’RE JUST FINE WITH A MAN WHO’S HALF MAN AND HALF WOLVERINE WHO CAN FLY ACROSS BUILDINGS AND HAS FOOT LONG BLADES MAGICALLY SHOOTING OUT OF HIS HANDS….
…GOTCHA.
John Logan is a genius. His script for the next Bond film is as good as if Ian Fleming himself wrote it. After the mess that was Quantum of Solace, he’s fixed the series. Whoever buys the Noah script now is going to be getting a bargain because two years from now he’s going to be the worlds hottest screenwriter.
Feels sorry for Oscar
Far from folklore to most of the world.
This sounds like one of the most exciting projects I have heard in a long time. The world’s Faith on the silver screen with a proper budget.
I vote Jeff Bridges for Noah.
Discovery, who else in Hollywood do you think would buy an historical story – based on “a true story”? There must be others who would be attracted to it and, as one about to bring one to market, I’d sure love to know your thoughts about the market. Thanks, JD
Huh? I am sorry I do not understand your question.
I simply think it’s going to be an awesome movie with a great director.
Also was just saying to me it is not “Folklore” from what the gentlemen said above. To me the Bible is a way of life.
I think every kind of movie has a place in some market. I believe you misinterpreted my statement.
Best of luck on your film
I’m sure if Fox buys it, the animals in the Ark will talk…
Oscar, do you know that movies are not real? They are fiction. Even documentaries are edited, with magical lighting, and sound recording and sometimes bits and pieces of animation and bogus facts and people stating inaccuracies. Nothing is real in the movies. And Exodus and Noah’s Ark are as real as your history books, or msn or fox news.
Do you really think Noah’s Ark happened? Even the most far-out Christians I know at least have the sense to take it metaphorically.
Matt, I don’t think you know many real Christians. Yes, I am a Christian and yes, I take the story literally.
I live in Western Europe – the only religious extremists left here are Muslims. I’d consider taking all the Bible literally very extremist indeed.
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, IT REALLLY HAPPENED!!! So did Jack and the Beanstock, Snow white and the 7 dwarfs, Alladin’s Genie, and Beauty and the Beast.
They just didn’t have enough room in the Bible to fit all those TRUE stories.
Yes you must not know many Christians.
I take Noah’s Ark very literal.
How else you think Fossils are spread all over the world, and fish bones on top on mountains?
Even a lot of scientists agree that there had to been a world wide flood at some point.
So Noah’s Ark crashed and spread all of the creatures across the world? Not I get it…
You must be insane. HAve you ever really thought about how this would work? The number of vertebrate species on Earth (excluded fish) is 30,000. And I’m not counting insects. How do you put 60,000 different animals and all the food they need on a freaking boat? How big should that thing be?
And some creationists even think that dinosaurs were there too!
Or maybe it’s just a magical boat.
Freakin’ insane.
I wonder how Arofnosky is going to show Noah’s slow descent into madness and eventual self destruction, since all his movies are only about that. I also like the idea of creating a ‘world’ which is basically a lot of water and a stinking boat floating on it. Ha!
That’s sad.
To Oscar—not everyone believes that Noah’s and Moses’ TRUE stories never happened. Actually Noah indefinitely did because archaeologist have said they have found the original Ark high up in the mountains of Asia. There are pics to prove that. But anyway I won’t argue about that with you religious confrontation isn’t good on either side, just thought you should know that. Darren doing either of the films would be interesting to see. I would actually like to see a more edgier look at the story.
Oh? There’s pictures to prove there was a boat that had two of EVERY fucking animal in the whole world? Where can I see these pictures?
Who would want to see a movie about something that didn’t really happen? Uh, the dude’s Black Swan wasn’t a true story friend and if you read the above story, you’ll learn it made more than $300 million. As for the story of Noah being “bogus folklore”- you might not appreciate it, but the Bible has been respected as literature for hundreds of years, treated as Holy for longer than that, and the Old Testament even longer than that. So your “bogus folklore” story has inspired and entertained and educated (faith, courage, etc) more people in more corners of the world than you can imagine. If it helps you grasp who might want to see it, call it a prequel to The Passion–or The Ten Commandments–that might get it a summer launch (though I think they should shoot for a November release).
I’m curious, David; why do you think a November release would be best? JD
This has “box office disaster” written all over it. Noah’s ark is a ridiculous fable, and completely unbelievable today. And everyone knows the reason why Black Swan made $300m was because of the lesbian scene. Otherwise a movie anout ballerinas…pffft.
A ‘ridiculous fable’ as opposed to the realistic depiction of lions and mice in “The Lion and the Mouse” which is more believable today than when it was written.
Besides your ridiculous statement about why Black Swan made 300 million who uses “pffft”? Did you just give a low five to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air?
Not to red states.
John Huston told the story of Noah in a fairly serious manner in his movie, THE BIBLE.
BTW, what is an “edgy” retelling of Noah? Soap Opera about his bickering family? Incest? (Hmmmm, that would be too European). No – I’ve got it! Aronofsky will aim to be “visually dazzling” and it will be “in the vein of STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!”
I’m going to reserve my seat through MovieFone right now!!
Actually, the incest bit would be straight out of the Torah scrolls.
What would be an edgy retelling? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe depicting Noah ignoring the cries of drowning mothers and children who are begging to be brought aboard. Telling the story literally might be considered edgy. Because, you know, back then even the two year olds were wicked pervs.
Yeah, because Lord of the Rings was such a waste of time…nobody wants to see “folklore”…non-fiction only please.
This sounds like “The Fountain 2″ to me.
The only thing worse than a bad comedy about Noah’s Ark would be a movie that treated this fairy tale as a serious subject. At least you’re supposed to laugh at the former…
What about the Noah’s Ark story (or the Bible in general) upsets you so much? If you don’t believe in it, then fine. Treat this movie and its subject matter like the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. Why would it be so bad to make a serious movie about this “fairy tale” in the vein of other fictional movies like the ones mentioned?
Wow I hope they can pull it off. If they follow the scripture it should truly be and epic film!
I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago.
I you are going to do an edgy retelling of the story, why not use the original source material that was already edgy? The Epic of Gilgamesh was way edgier and predated the Noah’s Ark fairy tale. It also had a radically different reason for both the flood and the moral of the story at the end.
Gligamesh would actually be worth making as a film.
Wow, all the atheists are really getting up in arms about this. You can make a movie about robots, or super-heroes, or pirates, or aliens, or whatever, but don’t you DARE make a movie about a Bible story, because that’s just silly. It cracks me up how threatened you all seem to be by this.
Maybe because movies about pirates or robots are not propaganda. Nobody forces you to believe Transformers are actually really on Earth. Religious zealots on the other hand will force you to believe the most insane stories.
People don’t base their lives and belief systems on fairy tales like robots, superheroes, pirates, or aliens.
BIG difference.
Nobody is threatened. It’s just sad that people literally believe a man put two of every animal on the entire planet on a single boat and they all co-existed for forty days. Or, is that just another work of God? I guess I’m ignorant, huh?
In this ‘edgy’ retelling, the Ark will encounter a huge tsunami wave like Poseidon, be attacked by Bluebeard and the Kracken, and finally sink to the depths of the ocean like Titanic.
Also, Noah will have serious marital problems when he has an affair with a goat.
Considering more of the world is non-christian than is, no, it’s not seen as anything but a myth by most people on the planet.
True there are more people that say they aren’t christians than people that say they are but that doesn’t account for near the number of people that believe this story. Noah is a literal character in Genesis which is also a part of the christian bible and the quran. These all directly reference Noah and follow the same story. The number of people that align themselves as either christians, jew, or muslims are abut 5 of the nearly 7 billion people on earth.
I don’t think there needs to be a majority to make a film about it. As with some of the other commenters I wonder why so many people feel defensive or angry about this movie.
The story of Noah is NOT a Christian story. Noah and his story is in the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an. Since the vast majority of people on the planet are either Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, most people accept the story as true.
Actually this story even predates the Torah. The original story of Noah, the ark, and the great flood first appears in the Babylonian “Epic of Gilgamesh.” There are some differences in the story, but many of the details are there. I don’t think that there was a worldwide flood, and I don’t think someone loaded two of every animal, but I do think that there was a catastrophic flood in the Mediterranean/Middle East several thousand years ago. There are too many legends/myths about a great flood from this area to discount the possibility entirely.