Christian Bale Could Be First Star On Board For 'Black Swan' Director's New Film 'Noah'

Well, if it was star-power Darren Aronofsky needed to get his Biblical epic made . . . well, ask and ye shall receive.

That was exactly what the word around the campfire was: that even interested financiers like New Regency, Paramount, Fox and Summit Entertainment would balk at backing the $130-million tale of Noah’s ark and the world’s greatest flood – tentatively titled simply “Noah” – if Aronofsky couldn’t attach a star with some clout.

Hence, his recently confirmed talks with “The Dark Knight Rises” star Christian Bale about taking up the titular role, as confirmed by New York Magazine.

Hmm. The 37-year-old Bale playing a 600-year-old Noah? Well, he did make the leap from an unsettling 130 pounds to film “The Machinist” to a jacked 230 to film “Batman Begins” in a matter of six months, so count nothing out for this past year’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winner for “The Fighter.”

It could make for a massive year for Bale, if this is indeed his next project. He’s currently filming director Christopher Nolan’s rumored final “Batman” project, “The Dark Knight Rises.” It also makes one wonder what will become of the sequel to “The Fighter” that Mark Wahlberg and director David O. Russell both want to film.

Meanwhile, Aronofsky has handed his finished script off to “Gladiator” and “The Last Samurai” writer John Logan for re-writes. If all goes to plan, “Noah” could be the next project that the Oscar-winning director helms.