Once it was announced that Darren Aronofsky — most well-known for mind trips as Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, and Black Swan — would be directing his own take on the ages-old tale of Noah’s Ark, we knew he wouldn’t stick too closely to the source material. And that’s just what makes this project so endlessly intriguing.

Today, more minor plot details were released for Noah. While Paramount’s synopsis is understandably vague, some lucky folks who got a hold of the script released a few more specific details of what’s in store. Noah is starting out as a comic book series co-created by Aronofsky, in which the character is more of a warrior than his Bible incarnation — reportedly akin to Mad Max.

Noah’s homeland is described as “a land barren and hostile, in the grip of severe drought. A world marked by violence and barbarism, delivered to the savagery of the clans that draw their reason to survive from war and cruelty.” Noah is “a fighter and also a healer.” It is as if Aronofsky took the essence of Noah’s story and focused so vividly on how dark it truly is. HitFix gives the impression this story will be less about the flood, and more about what the world was like before it occurred. I never realized how disturbing the story was until it was laid out in this way.

(Also, the story will include the Watchers, which are “eleven-foot-tall fallen angels with six arms and no wings.” Talk about taking away all of the magic from something so mystical.)

Aronfosky‘s ambitious new film is set to hit on March 28th, 2014. Russell Crowe will play Noah, with Jennifer Connelly playing his wife, Naameh; Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth, and Ray Winstone — the latter of whom is going villainous — are also signed to star. I think we speak for everyone when I say I can’t wait to see what other strange new additions to the ages-old fable are cooking in Aronofsky‘s brilliant mind.

Update: Darren Aronofsky has tweeted the first image from the set, one of his massive ark being built. It was attached with the message, “I dreamt about this since I was 13. And now it’s a reality. Genesis 6:14.” See it below.

Does this give the impression that Noah will be a worthy shake-up of such a familiar story?