Russell Crowe gets Biblical as Aronofsky's Noah

Paramount Pictures and New Regency Productions have today announced that Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider, 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts) has been cast as Noah in Darren Aronofsky's film of the same name.

The American filmmaker, known for his acclaimed films The Wrestler, Requiem For A Dream, and Black Swan, is tackling one of the Bible's most famous stories, in which Noah is told to build an ark to save mankind from an impending flood.

"I rejoice that Russell Crowe will be by my side on this adventure," Aronofsky said. "It's his immense talent that helps me to sleep at night. I look forward to being wowed by him every day.”

The screenplay was written by Aronofsky and regular collaborator Ari Handel with revisions from John Logan (Gladiator). Shooting begins in Iceland and New York this July, with a US release date set for 28 March, 2014.