In the development pipeline at Warner Bros. is “Gods and Kings,” a still-vague project that has only received recent attention because Steven Spielberg dropped out as director, and was replaced by Ang Lee.

In this one, Moses may or may not be portrayed as some sort of action hero, depending on which unreliable website one chooses to visit. Wouldn’t delivering the Ten Commandments and parting the Red Sea more or less qualify him for that title, anyway?

The stone tablets are coming to TV as well. Producer Harvey Weinstein, a co-founder of Miramax Films, just announced plans for a 10-part “Ten Commandments” – one episode per commandment – using big-name directors such as Wes Craven and Lee Daniels. Weinstein or one of his associates let it slip that he’s also considering Madonna to direct an episode.
Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe star in a scene from the movie “Noah.” The film is one of several biblical epics Hollywood is expected to release in coming weeks. (CNS photo/Paramount)

There’s no indication yet whether “Exodus” or the other adaptations will include Dathan, the skeptical character mentioned in the Book of Numbers and memorably portrayed by Edward G. Robinson in 1956’s “The Ten Commandments” directed by Cecil B. DeMille.

Robinson never actually delivered the sneering line “Where’s your messiah now?” That originated in a stand-up routine by Billy Crystal, but has become so culturally embedded, it’s been quoted by Chief Wiggum twice on “The Simpsons.”

Other films, with their announced release dates:

“Noah” (Paramount, March 28). Russell Crowe as the builder of the ark, Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah, and a big floating zoo of computer-generated animals, presumably boarding two by two. Directed by Darren Aronofsky with Emma Watson as Ila, Noah’s adopted daughter, and Jennifer Connelly as Naameh, Noah’s wife.

The $125 million film comes with pre-manufactured outrage – “buzz,” if you prefer – because of its angels. Turn, if you will, to the Book of Enoch, Chapter 9, which mentions the archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel, the last of whom, according to the following chapter, is sent to warn Noah of the coming destruction of the earth.

The Book of Enoch – which is only accepted as canonical by the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches – doesn’t describe the archangels in detail. Aronofsky, who co-scripted with Ari Handel, decided it would be really spectacular if they were 18 feet tall and had six arms.

That makes them a mite spooky, but they’re supposed to get Noah’s attention, and that would certainly do it. There’s been no advance word on how many rainbows will be seen from atop Mount Ararat.

Connor Corum and Greg Kinnear star in a scene from the movie “Heaven Is for Real.” The film, based on a true near-death experience, is one of several movies with faith or religious themes coming from Hollywood. (CNS photo/Paramount)“Heaven Is for Real” (TriStar, April 16). Greg Kinnear and Kelly Reilly, directed by Randall Wallace, star as Todd and Sonja Burpo, based on Todd’s best-selling book about his son Colton’s glimpse of heaven as the result of a near-death experience during surgery. Connor Corum plays the revivified lad.

“Mary” (Lionsgate, next December). Odeya Rush takes on the role of Mary escaping from King Herod along with husband Joseph. Ben Kingsley plays Herod. It’s directed by Alister Grierson.

“Pontius Pilate” (Warner Bros., 2015). Brad Pitt as Christ’s Roman judge. Pilate has received his own story a few times, but typically, as in the Gospels, he’s a supporting character.

He’s previously been portrayed by Telly Savalas, Richard Boone, David Bowie and – memorably – by Australian actor Frank Thring in 1959’s “Ben-Hur.” Thring played the governor of Judea as a sniveling, world-weary oaf. Pitt’s last costume epic was “Troy” in 2004.

“The Redemption of Cain” (Sony, 2015). Listed here because the film, directed by Will Smith, is supposed to be loosely based on the story of Cain and Abel. It also involves vampires, but that, of course, you won’t find in the Book of Genesis. Hence, “loosely.”

“Resurrection” (LD Entertainment, 2015 or later). Kevin Reynolds (“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”) is currently “attached,” the trade papers report, to direct the story of the first 40 days following the resurrection of Jesus.

“Ben-Hur” (MGM, 2015 or later). The third big-screen version, following the 1925 and 1959 films. Because, after all, who doesn’t like a good chariot race?

Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.