If all went according to plan, Alex Proyas would likely currently be in the middle of production for his big-budget blockbuster Paradise Lost with Bradley Cooper. But with that project falling apart, he jumped to the drama The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, which he is currently set to shoot this fall. While that continues development, the Dark City director is still keeping his options open for future projects.

Variety reports that one of these will be Gods of Egypt, described as following a “magical quest” taken by a mighty God and a puny thief. The Summit Entertainment project, which takes place in “the legendary world of great pyramids and sphinxes” will be written by Proyas, along with relative newcomers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, who have completed scripts for the yet-to-be-produced Flash Gordon and Dracula Year Zero, a previous project Proyas was attached to.

As someone who actually enjoyed Proyas’ last film, Knowing, for its big sci-fi ideas, I think he could do great things with an ancient period piece like this one. While that ground seems to be heavily covered with a new swords-and-sandals actioner every few months, hopefully he can differentiate from the pack. With this one in its early stages, and Proyas set to go shoot another film soon, don’t expect to see it for awhile.

What do you think about Proyas going to ancient Egypt?