It seems like every action period piece announcement comes with a disclaimer that producers want to carry the vibe of Zack Snyder‘s 300. Centurion, Clash of the Titans, and Pathfinder are just a few that come to mind that failed critically. Lets hope this upcoming possibility doesn’t fall into that unfortunate hole. THR is reporting that The Day The Earth Stood Still director Scott Derrickson will helm a new take on the classic David vs. Goliath biblical tale.
Titled simply Goliath, Relativity Media producers Ryan Kavanaugh, as well as Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen of Temple Hill are aiming for a “period action movie made with contemporary sensibilities.” John D. Payne and Patrick McKay have written the 300 and The Bourne Identity-esque script. If you didn’t go to Sunday School you can read the synopsis below.
The story is set in motion when the fierce warrior Goliath is sent to track down a foretold king of the Israelites. A young shepherd David is thrust into an epic chase and adventure fighting for his own life, the lives of his loved ones and eventually the lives of his people. The story climaxes in a battle of literal Biblical proportions between the young man and the giant sent to destroy him.
While I haven’t seen Derrickson’s supernatural thriller The Exorcism of Emily Rose or his Day The Earth Stood Still update, it is kind of refreshing to see a biblical story done with some sort of budget and edge. Temple Hill is known for the relatively safe The Nativity Story, and like many “Christian” films of its kind it usually gets completely disregarded by those outside the religion. Goliath is a film-worthy tale, but I just hope it doesn’t become another lame 300 knock-off, which was already kind of lame to begin with.
Do you want to see a Goliath tale done right?