Danny Boyle to direct ‘Methuselah’

Danny Boyle is set to direct new Warner Bros film “Methuselah”, based on the Biblical story in the Book of Genesis, of a man who lived 969 years.

“Methuselah” has been in development for several years, and the first scripts were written in 2014. Initially, Tom Cruise and Will Smith were among the possible stars for the film.

However, last year Warner Bros. announced that Michael B. Jordan, known from “Black Panther” and the “Rocky” successor “Creed”, will embody the biblical figure.

According to Variety magazine, the original concept for the film was more true to the biblical text, but that has changed, and the creative team is taking a new approach with the plot.

Variety reports that Warner Bros. considers the project as a high priority, with the potential to spark a franchise, following the success of its two “Creed” films.

Jordan is also producing the film with Outlier Society head of production Alana Mayo, as well as Boyle and Heyday’s David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford.

Boyle is rewriting the script together with Simon Beaufoy, who worked with him on the adapted screenplay Oscar winner “Slumdog Millionaire” and in “127 Hours”.

“Methuselah” will be Boyle’s first project since he withdrew from the new James Bond film “No Time To Die”, due to creative differences

Warner Bros has not yet said when the film will be shot or when it will be released in cinemas.