Jeff Snider lets us know that Paramount and New Regency will release Darren Aronofsky‘s long gestating biblical epic Noah wide on March 28th 2014. Aronofsky has been developing a big screen adaptation of Noah’s Ark since he was 13-years-old. Paramount is teaming with New Regency to produce the film for a reported $150 million budget.

Russell Crowe is set to play the lead role of Noah. John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator) rewrote the script originally penned by he Aronofsky and Ari Handel, with the shoot starting in July.

When Darren Aronofsky was 13-years-old, he won a United Nations poetry competition at his Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn school for a poem about the end of the world as seen through the eyes of Noah. And so started Aronofsky’s obsession with the biblical figure. In September 2008 we talked to Aronofsky about his idea for a film based on Noah:

“It’s the end of the world and it’s the second most famous ship after the Titanic. So I’m not sure why any studio won’t want to make it,” said Aronofsky. “I think it’s really timely because it’s about environmental apocalypse which is the biggest theme, for me, right now for what’s going on on this planet. So I think it’s got these big, big themes that connect with us. Noah was the first environmentalist. He’s a really interesting character. Hopefully they’ll let me make it.”

Aronofsky has released a new comment with the press release:

“Since I was a kid, I have been moved and inspired by the story of Noah and his family’s journey. The imaginations of countless generations have sparked to this epic story of faith. It’s my hope that I can present a window into Noah’s passion and perseverance for the silver screen,” said Aronofsky.

Darren has called the project a “big event film”and says the story is “not PG in any way.”

“I don’t think it’s a very religious story… I think it’s a great fable that’s part of so many different religions and spiritual practices. I just think it’s a great story that’s never been on film.” … “He’s a dark, complicated character. The tragedies we perform on each other are so well reported. Quite clearly, the planet is dying, and we are dying on it.”

Aronofsky has been working to make this movie for years. Last year the filmmaker hired Canadian artist Nico Henrichon (who illustrated Brian K. Vaughan‘s Pride Of Baghdad) to adapt the story into graphic novel form. Darren is trying to use the world of graphic novels as a backdoor into getting the movie made. And this wouldn’t be the first time that Aronofsky has turned to the world of comics. His initial version of The Fountain was released in graphic novel form by Vertigo Comics in 2005 after Brad Pitt left the project high and dry. Check out some preview art from the book below: