Actor Liev Schreiber. Photo: wiki commons.

Actor Liev Schreiber is a leading contender for the villain role in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming biblical epic “Noah”, set for a March 28, 2014 release.

The Jewish actor is well known for his roles in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, “Defiance”, “Salt”, and for his writing and directing of “Everything is Illuminated”.

Paramount Studios and New Regency are providing financing for the film, which will include Russell Crowe as Noah.  Logan Lerman and Douglas Booth have also committed to the project.  Rumors began to circulate late last week that Emma Watson, who starred in the Harry Potter film franchise, may also be close to signing on.

“No matter how the final product turns out, it’s a delight to see the filmmaker embark on a giant passion project like this, all because his labor of love Black Swan turned into an unlikely box office success, allowing him to do absolutely anything he wants for his followup,” writes Katey Rich at Cinemablend.com.

“After watching him struggle for years to make The Fountain, Aronofsky deserves to finally be embarking on an epic exactly the way he wants it.”