Ridley Scott's EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS just landed its first trailer and already there are reports that the director isn’t quite finished adapting Biblical tales. Scott is reportedly producing a movie about King David from the classic Old Testament tale of David and Goliath. Jonathan Stokes (EL GRINGO) has been tapped to write the script for the untitled movie.
We all know that story of David slaying the giant Goliath, so it’s interesting to note that the plot is said to more likely focus on his later reign as King of Israel. Scott would produce under his Scott Free production company, buts it's unclear on whether he will direct. We know he has a few projects lined up, including a sequel to PROMETHEUS and THE MARTIAN, starring Matt Damon which is set to start filming this year.
It’s clear that Hollywood is giving people what they want with these Biblical stories: sex and violence with a touch of God. The interest in adaptations is high right now with hits like NOAH making over $350 million worldwide; so it’s a no brainer really. EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS will arrive later this December and Timur Bekmambetov's remake of classic BEN-HUR is set for 2016. I'm all for the big budget Biblical fair because, let's be honest, if this stuff was taken to the screen in the most literal translation, it wouldn’t be that exciting. So get the stars and action on screen and entertain me! I’ll leave whether or not the adaptation was true to the source up to the folks at Fox News or my grandpa.