There aren't many actors who can carry a big budget flick just by the power of their own name. Darren Aronofsky thought he had one in Christian Bale, who had been attached to star in the director's Biblical epic, Noah. Yep, about the guy with the ark and the animals and the flooding. Bale had to drop out, and the $130M+ flick appeared to be on the skids, but Paramount swooped in to give it the greenlight. Michael Fassbender's name came up as a possible star, but even with his recent run of hits this seems like too much too soon for him.
Deadline reports two bankable names are being floated as possibilities. Russell Crowe is being looked at to take on the lead role, which should make the studio happy. Even though Crowe hasn't exactly been in the spotlight lately, he hasn't had a true hit since 2008's Body of Lies, he can still carry a picture. Also, Liam Neeson is being eyed for a role, possibly as a villain, and we know Neeson's name tends to put butts in seats. No deals are in place yet, and it's not even clear if negotiations are in place, although Deadline seems pretty confident.
Crowe vs. Neeson in a battle of godly proportions? Hey, I'll take it. Kinda hard to screw something like that up, unless they start having talking animals or something. If all goes as planned we should be seeing Noah sometime in 2013.
