While Darren Aronofsky’s next film in theatres will be the blockbuster sequel to X-men Origins: Wolverine simply titled The Wolverine, it looks as though he’ll quickly be returning to more heady and controversial territory after that with Noah, a sci-fi influenced take on the biblical tale of Noah’s arc, one that according to Aronofsky will tackle material “censored out of our religious upbringing.”

“I was stunned going back and realizing how dirty some of those stories are,” the director states. “They’re not PG in any way. They’re all about sleeping with your brother’s sister who gives you a child who you don’t know.”

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aronofsky stated that he’s been interested in the story of Noah since seeing the documentary In Search of Noah’s Arc when he was a child, and that he has been working on a screenplay for the past six years.

Aronofsky also said that he considers Noah to be “the first environmentalist”, as well as the “first person to plant vineyards, drink wine and get drunk”.

Not exactly the sort of thing you hear about in church!

Aronofsky plans to publish the story as a four part graphic novel first, which he will then use to try and secure financial backing from a studio.

I’m actually quite excited for both of the director’s upcoming projects. Aronofksy’s five for five as far as I’m concerned (yes, I’m a The Fountain defender). Not to mention that the last time we saw a critically acclaimed arthouse director take on a big budget comic book franchise that had fallen into disrepair, the result was Batman Begins. Indeed, this career move is Nolan-esque in more ways than one; assuming The Wolverine is a success, it will prove Aronofksy is capable of working with the kind of big budget that an epic passion project like Noah will presumably require.