Steven Spielberg Finally Nears Deal To Direct Moses Epic GODS AND KINGS
Two months ago we reported that Steven Spielberg had entered negotiations with Warner Bros. on the Moses biopic Gods and Kings. Deadline is now reporting that he is finally close to a deal to helm the epic film. The project is described as “a Braveheart-ish version of the Moses story." It will reportedly feature Moses "coming down the river, being adopted, leaving his home, forming an army, and getting the Ten Commandments.” Even though the Red Sea parting would look cool in 3D, filming is not currently planned in 3D.
This is not a remake of Cecile B. Demille's 1956 film, The Ten Commandments, which Paramount released in VistaVision to give moviegoers a more spectacular experience. Warner Bros wants Speilberg to direct it "with the gritty reality of Saving Private Ryan, which is considered a masterpiece redefining battle movies." ”There have been glossy versions of the Moses story but this would be a real warrior story,” an insider reports.
The studio has fought hard to get Spielberg behind the lens on this project. Warner Bros. has wanted him to direct since Spielberg first read the script in December. What they initially thought would be a longshot now seems to be close to coming to fruition. Production is slated to start in March or April of 2013.
The project was brought to Warner Bros. by Matti Lesham, and is being produced by Dan Lin and Lesham. Stuart Hazeldine (Paradise Lost) and Michael Green (Green Lantern, The River) worked on the script together. Gods and Kings marks the second religious warrior film that the studio has in the works. They are also developing Mel Gibson and Joe Eszterhas' story about Jewish warrior Judah Maccabee, who "teamed with his father and four brothers to lead the Jewish revolt against the Greek-Syrian armies that had conquered Judea in the 2nd century B.C."
Spielberg finished filming the period film Lincoln and will begin working on Robopocalypse. Ten Commandments was one of the most profitable films of its era, grossing $65 million in 1956 (close to $1 Billion today). If Spielberg wants a big film, I can not think of a film of more epic proportions for him. What are your thoughts on this news?