A LOT CAN GO WRONG when adapting biblical stories for the movies, but there’s perhaps no bigger mistake than handing a crown of thorns or a shepherd’s staff to an actor who lacks the requisite heft for the role. Christian Bale, who is incapable of taking anything lightly or committing halfway, has no such issue and could plausibly embody just about anyone in the Good Book, from Genesis to Revelation. Fifteen years ago, he played Jesus in a made-for-TV movie and was rewarded with months of messianic nightmares. Bale was reportedly Darren Aronofsky’s first choice to play the lead in his Noah, but an opportunity to star...