In case you haven’t heard, Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky is making an epic screen-adaptation of Noah’s ark with Russell Crowe in the lead. It seems that Aronofsky’s dark, gritty style will not be lost on this biblical journey, as character photos from the film reveal a rugged, graying Russell Crow and a dread-locked Emma Watson. Watson plays Ila, a confederate of Noah’s son Ham, played by Logan Lerman in what should be familiar territory following their collaboration in last year’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Jennifer Connelly, who has worked with Aronofsky on the drug-trip drama Requiem for a Dream,  is on board to play Noah’s wife, Naameh, and Anthony Hopkins is slated to play Noah’s grandfather Methuselah.

As if there aren’t enough talented names attached to the project, Ray Winstone (The Departed, Hugo) is also taking part as a villain character. The yet-to-be-named character looks formidable indeed, drenched and yelling in the recently released stills.

Aronofsky teamed up with John Logan, writer of the Russell Crowe-starred drama Gladiator, to complete the script for Noah. Although filming was delayed due to Hurricane Sandy – noted at the time by an Emma Watson tweet saying, “I take it that the irony of a massive storm holding up the production of Noah is not lost @DarrenAronofsy @russellcrowe”  – the film is still penciled in for a March 28th, 2014 release.