Steven Spielberg’s name couldn’t possibly be bigger or more illustrious in Hollywood right now, but he’s never used that as a reason to slow down. He directed two movies released in 2011 (THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN and WAR HORSE), and produced or executive produced multiple others and TV shows to boot. So what could possibly be next for one of the most-respected filmmakers in the business? How about a gritty biopic about Moses? Deadline is reporting the Warner Brothers is close to signing off on Spielberg’s project (working title GODS AND KINGS) in which Moses would be a fierce Jewish leader not to be messed with. An insider tells them they imagine “a movie like a Braveheart-ish version of the Moses story. Him coming down the river, being adopted, leaving his home, forming an army, and getting the Ten Commandments.” Surprisingly, when taking into account all the wild visuals this story lends itself to, there are no plans to make it in 3D. It’s also said this will not simply be a remake of the classic Cecile B. DeMille film starring Charlton Heston, which used the cinematic gimmick of “Vistavision” to boost the more-intense visual moments. It’s said Warner Bros wants Spielberg to move more in the direction of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, realistic and gritty – “a real warrior story.” This has been in the works since September, when Spielberg first read the proposed script. Despite the director’s busy schedule, it’s said this could come together completely by the end of the month, with Warner Bros hoping for a production start sometime in March or April of 2013. Deadline notes producer Matti Lesham had come to the studio with a treatment that was bought for development, and it’s being produced by Dan Lin and Lesham. The two screenwriters for the project are first time co-scripters Stuart Hazeldine (upcoming epic PARADISE LOST for Legendary/Warner Bros inspired by the John Milton poem) and Michael Green (co-writer of Warner Bros’ GREEN LANTERN and upcoming ABC midseason series THE RIVER for Spielberg”).

But Steven isn’t exactly sitting around waiting for all this to happen. Spielberg just wrapped directing LINCOLN and is currently developing the ROBOTPOCALYPSE, both of which are DreamWorks projects co-financed by Twentieth Century Fox. Deadline also notes TEN COMMANDMENTS was one of the most profitable films of its era, grossing $65 million in 1956, which in today’s dollars is equivalent to close to $1 Billion theatrical – they added the fact that Steven Spielberg helmed another seminal Jewish movie, SCHINDLER’S LIST which won seven Oscars at the 66th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Are you ready to see another big screen epic production revolving around the Biblical hero of Moses? Think Spielberg is up to the challenge? I openly admit he’s my favorite director of all time, and even his weaker films manage to wow me in some way. I’d expect great things if this comes together. Time will tell, but the idea of the man who made me cry while looking at a rubber alien giving us a new vision of the Red Sea being parted… let’s just say I’m more than a little intrigued. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Oh, and then there’s this little photo of Spielberg and his grown up EMPIRE OF THE SUN star Christian Bale chatting at the 16th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards from 12 days ago, completely unrelated.  Hmmm…

Moses poster above taken from HERE.

Award show photo from HERE.

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