“Requiem for a Dream” and “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky’s interpretation of the biblical parable of Noah’s Ark is set to begin its Iceland and New York shoot this July with Russell Crowe in the lead role as eponymous ark-builder, Paramount Pictures confirmed today. The film, “Noah”, is slated for launch in March 2014.

“I’d like to thank Paramount and Regency for backing my team’s work to breathe new life into the biblical epic,” said Aronofsky. “I rejoice that Russell Crowe will be by my side on this adventure. It’s his immense talent that helps me to sleep at night. I look forward to being wowed by him every day.”

Crowe will appear in cinemas next in “Broken City” and “Man of Steel”, both scheduled for theatrical release sometime next year.