With Darren Aronofsky hard at work crafting an actual real-life ark for his big-budget retelling of Noah, the last few cast members are finally boarding the project. We’ve already got Russell Crowe signed as the titular character, with Jennifer Connelly as his wife Naameh, Logan Lerman and Douglas Booth as their sons, Emma Watson as female companion to the latter and Ray Winstone in a villainous role, as well as Anthony Hopkins as grandfather to Noah.
Now, Variety reports that Kevin Durand has come aboard the ensemble, playing a giant who assists our main character and his family with their mission. The LOST star has been known for being the highlight in lots of shlocky entertainment (Legion, Smokin’ Aces, Real Steel), but it seems as though he’s entering a new phase of his career with promising roles in Cosmopolis, The Devil’s Knot and certainly this project.
The casting isn’t done yet though, as Deadline updates that Marton Csokas, breaking out in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and last seen as an Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter baddie, has joined the cast in a supporting role. Unfortunately, we’ve got no other details on his role beyond that, but we certainly welcome two solid character actors to the ensemble.
Aronofsky wrote the screenplay with Ari Mandel, portraying the titular Biblical hero as “a man who loves Earth and all of its animal inhabitants, but has become disillusioned with the way humans have treated their planet.” It is also said to focus on Noah’s alcoholic tendencies, but it won’t go the usual dark Aronofsky mile, as this time it will be a PG-13 journey.
Noah kicks off production this month for a March 28th, 2014 release.