Ray Winstone to set sail with 'Noah'?

Actor Ray Winstone is the latest to consider taking a trip with director Darren Aronofsky's "Noah."

Ray Winstone

Deadline is reporting that the actor is in negotiations to play the role of the main antagonist to Noah, who will be played by Russell Crowe ("Gladiator").

The film tells the Biblical tale of Noah, who was directed by God to create a giant ark to save two of every animal before a great flood wiped the Earth clean.

Last week, it was reported that "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson was in talks to join the cast as Ila, a woman who is involved with Noah's son Shem, portrayed by Douglas Booth ("The Pillars of the Earth" and the forthcoming "Romeo and Juliet").

Logan Lerman ("Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lighning Thief") is also attached as Noah's other son Ham.

This will be Aronofsky's followup to his Academy Award-nominated films "Black Swan" and "The Wrestler."

Winstone was most recently seen in "Snow White and the Huntsman," in which he played Gorth, one of the seven dwarfs. His resume also includes roles in "Hugo," "The Departed" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Emma Watson in talks for 'Noah'

"Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson is in talks to join the cast of director Darren Aronofsky's film, "Noah," based on the biblical tale.

Emma Watson

Deadline is reporting Watson would play Ila, a woman who is involved with Noah's son Shem, portrayed by Douglas Booth ("The Pillars of the Earth" and the forthcoming "Romeo and Juliet").

Russell Crowe ("Gladiator") is set to be Noah and Logan Lerman ("Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lighning Thief") will be Noah's other son Ham.

This will be Aronofsky's followup to his Academy Award-nominated films "Black Swan" and "The Wrestler."

Watson, who finished her eight-movie run on the "Harry Potter" franchise last year, will next be seen in the coming-of-age film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," which also stars Lerman.

Logan Lerman back for 'Percy Jackson' sequel

Although "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" was not a huge hit at the box office or with critics, Fox is moving forward with a sequel.

The first film hit theaters in 2010.

The Los Angeles Times reports the studio has exercised it option on Logan Lerman, who played the title character in the first film, and has hired Thor Freudenthal ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid") to direct.

"The Lightning Thief," based on the book series by Rick Riordan, follows Percy as he discovers he's actually the son of the Greek god Poseidon and meets a number of other teenage demigods. The movie aged Percy from 12 to 17, and injected more teenage humor and the like. Christopher Columbus ("Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone") directed and will stay on board for the sequel in the role of producer, Chris Columbus.

The "Percy Jackson" series includes five books as well as several spin-offs. The second book, which would presumably be the basis for the sequel, is subtitled "The Sea of Monsters," and follows Percy and company as they try to find the Golden Fleece.

The Times reported in March that Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski ("Agent Cody Banks") have been hired to write the script.

The first film has some story and pacing issues, but delivered on the humor and children--it's target audience afterall--seemed to like it. With "Harry Potter" taking his final bow next month, there will be a waiting market for teenage fantasy heroes.

Note: Hat tip to Digital Spy for the link.