Russell Crowe cast as Noah

First a gladiator, then a math genius, now … Noah? Though rumors had been circulating for weeks, Paramount Pictures officially confirmed on Sunday that Russell Crowe has been cast as the Old Testament ark-builder in the eponymous film that is being directed by Darren Aronofsky.

"I'd like to thank Paramount and Regency for backing my team's work to breathe new life into the biblical epic," said Aronofsky about the no doubt very expensive choice. "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."

The studio's press release also promises the movie, which begins shooting in July in Iceland and New York, will be a close adaptation of the biblical story. And its general description-"In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save creation from the coming flood"-seems to respect the scriptural account.

So what do you think? Does the gravel-voiced Aussie fit your vision of Noah? And what might a movie about Noah directed by the man responsible for Black Swan look like? We'll find out when Noah hits theaters on March 28, 2014.