Director: 'Noah' Environmental Story … Not Very Religious'

Director Darren Aronofsky’s long-gestating “Noah” project finally has a release date – March 28, 2014.

But anyone hoping the “Black Swan” director will tell a spiritually profound tale, one that has inspired Christians for centuries, may want to consider Aronofsky’s comments on the project.

The director explained his vision for “Noah” to Slash Film back in 2008:

It’s the end of the world and it’s the second most famous ship after the Titanic. So I’m not sure why any studio won’t want to make it,” said Aronofsky. “I think it’s really timely because it’s about environmental apocalypse which is the biggest theme, for me, right now for what’s going on on this planet. So I think it’s got these big, big themes that connect with us. Noah was the first environmentalist.

Here’s another Aronofsky nugget guaranteed to alienate a massive movie demographic – the faith-based crowd:

I don’t think it’s a very religious story… I think it’s a great fable that’s part of so many different religions and spiritual practices. I just think it’s a great story that’s never been on film.” … “He’s a dark, complicated character. The tragedies we perform on each other are so well reported. Quite clearly, the planet is dying, and we are dying on it.

Not a religious story? The planet is “clearly” dying?

Taken together, the comments make little sense from a marketing point of view. Micro-indies like “Courageous” and “October Baby” have proven ridiculously profitable in recent years, tapping into a large segment of spiritual movie-goers who rarely get projects aimed at them.

Had Aronofsky targeted them, as well as those who simply love blockbuster entertainment, “Noah” could be a can’t-miss sensation.

Now, with the film’s eco-themes front and center, it stands a better than average chance of alienating people of faith as well as those who don’t worship at the eco-altar of Al Gore.