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Fox Takes on an Epic 300-Like Retelling of the Life of Moses

by Ethan Anderton
October 12, 2009

It looks like Hollywood is all out of books to adapt, because now they're looking to adapt stories from the book. That's right, the world's best-selling book of all time, the Holy Bible, is headed to the big screen in a big way. Or at least a part of it will end up there as Variety reports that former News Corp. president Peter Chernin will take on his "first significant film project acquisition" for Fox as he aims to deliver a "retelling of the story of Moses, from his near death as an infant to his adoption into the Egyptian royal family, his defiance of the Pharaoh and deliverance of the Hebrews from enslavement." Well aren't we modest?

Of course, this doesn't sound like it's going to be your grandparent's Moses, because the story (written by Accepted writers Adam Cooper and Bill Collage) was conceived in the same vein as Cooper and Collage's Moby Dick script, which was pitched as a re-imagining in the same style as Zack Snyder's 300. And it's that level of visual story-telling that will really bring out the true epic nature of the life of Moses. But who can we get to fill the shoes of this Biblical hero? Immediately my mind says Ian McKellen, but it's just too close to Gandalf, and Michael Gambon has the same issue playing Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films.

So instead, maybe someone like Christopher Plummer or even Max von Sydow could fill it out nicely. Either way, as soon as we know who's going to part the Red Sea, we'll let you know. Any other suggestions?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

crumb

Daniel Day-Lewis, go go!
john

Hugh Jackman
Sam

David Spade.
AngryKid

I love a good piece of fiction!
http://www.scriptshadow.blogspot.com Script Shadow

There are just so many jokes to make here. Moses doing 300 style slow-mo roundhouse kicks. I mean this is great stuff. I love movies.
sleepykid

Wil the script be carved out on stone tablets?
Metatasian

Morgan Freeman
SlashBeast

Moses' life story in 300 style? That's got to be the most retarded thing I've ever heard. The Ten Commandments has already got this down pat.
nelson

is Moses gonna have wire work done matrix style
jh

mother of god
Dude

Maybe someone that looks like they're from the Middle East??? as opposed to Ian McKellen or Daniel Day Lewis...with the talk of pharaohs, Egypt, hebrews, and enslavement...just a thought...
Rorschach90

#4 - Lmao. Nicely done
klaus_komix

#11 Shut Up! We don't need you criticizing casting before its even happened. I'm so tired of you "backseat" casting directors who act like you know everything about how a movie should be made.
pipo

Sean Connery!
hahahahha

Gerard Butler
asdf

Will Smith
AprilCoolsDay

How about that actor who played Saladin in Kingdom of Heaven? Or how about Jack Nicholson
Xerxex

we get it #4, you're an atheist. lol. This will no doubt cause problems but I'm game, just hope it isn't all style and effects, but plot driven and character driven.
clippers350

Martin Short.
Moses

How about Ben Kingsley..oh wait they already did a movie about moses, about a billion times...
branden

How has nobody mentioned Jim Caviezel yet?
Vincent Cipollone

Tyler perry
silver

Johnny Depp
I am Ron Burgandy?

Angry Kid, Oh the trials and tribulations of an atheist, jumping at every bit to knock a religion. You’re so witty, how do you do it? SlashBeast, I've seen your comments a bit on here; with all the reboots and prequels... So this can’t be the "most retarded thing I've ever heard" but we get it ...you don’t like it. I enjoyed Passion and 300. If they meet in between and keep it dark like Passion/300 with the visual art of 300, it could have a shot. Those were Brutal times combined with some interesting events from the bible; if done right they should be able to create captivating story on screen. I'll stay Optimistic for more details…
Oranges

LET MY PEOPLE GO! *kicks Ramses in the chest*
jman571

LMAO. Maybe we'll get a screenplay by Passover.
Sabes

Moses, 300 style. xD Ah, the thoughts that came after reading that. "Moses doing 300 style slow-mo roundhouse kicks" hehehe. <3 Actually, hmm...I'm interested in this.
SlashBeast

#24 - I am Ron Burgandy? YOU know what the most retarded thing I've ever heard is and I don't? You definitely know something I don't.
Roderick

Seriously? Moses in a 300-like feel? If you wanted another 300 based off a bible story, should have gone with the next chapter after Genesis, which is Joshua. That book is fill with war, blood, dead carcuses, dead men,woman and babies. It was a book in the bible deadicated to all out manslaughter. The israelites kicked come major ass in that Book. That would be a great bible movie deserving of a "300-like" feel. anyone else agrees? lol. Moses has been done too many times already.. sheesh.
alex

eric bana
jvj the agnostic

What about Vin Desiel, the way he looked in the first part of The chronicals of riddick!!! lol.
Caitie

Hollywood needs to stop finding the biggest "epic" stories they can find and instead focus on the storytelling, that's what really makes a story larger than life not a million dollar budget. I could name off a whole list of movies that are epic that did have a huge budget. By the way just because #4 doesn't believe in the bible dosen't mean hes an atheist. Being an atheist just means you don't believe in anything, you just die and that's it. I don't believe in the bible (or a specific god) but I'm not an atheist.
Cineprog

VFX of Charlton Heston, it just beg's belief, why o why as the studios got to go back to telling a story that as already be done. what next Ben Hur?
Dude

Apparently #13 is a little too ignorant to realize I was simply doing what everyone else on here is doing and simply giving my opinion...so...again...maybe someone that looks middle eastern or...even of an african descent...just an opinion that I'm sure MANY will disagree with...preferably respectfully disagree
AngryKid

#24 - I am Ron Burgandy? Thanks! It's actually easier than you might think.
Six Three

I agree with Alex Christopher Plummer would be perfect but no one will ever replace Charlton Heston
MountainGoat

Let's see, the rest of the World thinks BARACK OBAMA can save them. MORGAN FREEMAN has already played God, so that would be a step down. SIDNEY POITIER? DENZEL WASHINGTON? FORREST WHITTAKER? BILL COSBY?
Bryanmakeup

I'm not going to comment on who they should cast because it really could be anyone at this point. But what I will say is who ever it is will most likely be in their late 30's to 40sh. With the ability to play both a very young man and also a man of his 70's. Of course with the use of skillfully applied makeup (my field of work) you can do a lot. With the advances in materials used, a very realistic old age can be achieved. Far exceeding what was possible in those days. I mean they just stuck a gray beard and wig on him. But that said, the studio's tend to like their lead recognizable and still on the attractive side(not covered up by makeup and hair). I do think with the trend to be as realistic as possible he won't be blonde and blue eyed. But that can be fixed too. Only time will tell...
http://heypcs.com Norman DeArmond

My favorite is Vin Diesel. From kidcare hero to Furian He can do it all!
Kochezz

I just hope they stick to the real story from the bible and do not misconstrue the real story of Moses. Mel Gibson should direct it after his success with the Passion of the Christ
http://wmpl.org/blogs/ksmith Kurtis

I agree with the Joshua comments. There are MANY more stories in the Bible to tell. Go for a new one and pick largely unknown actors. Unknown actors make an epic truly epic.
Nathan Ahamed

Bring on another epic film... love em Kurtis its actually known actors that make movies epic Braveheart Gladiator Troy nuff said
Julio

I don't know who to cast for the role. But, when they do, they need to consider the fact that Moses was about 80 yrs old when the exodus of Egypt happend. If Moses does do a high kick to the head it should be only as high as an 80 yr old can. Eitherway, bible stories are the best stories. Hopefully movie makers will catch on that biblical movies are the best!
Herson

Anybody but a white person. Moses was NOT white.
SlashBeast

#24 - I am Ron Burgandy? How do YOU know what the most retarded thing I've ever heard is? Get a dick you pussy.