Hollywood is no stranger to big sets, but Darren Aronofsky just took “epic” to a whole new level.
A brand-new behind-the-scenes featurette for the upcoming film Noah is currently going viral, giving fans an inside look at the literal heavy lifting required to bring the iconic Biblical story to life.
While the film has already sparked heated debates among religious groups regarding its creative portrayal of the story, this new footage focuses on something everyone can agree is a feat of engineering: the Ark itself.
Director Darren Aronofsky reveals in the featurette that despite the film’s Hollywood flair, they stuck to the “actual specifications” laid out in the Bible when it came to crafting the vessel.
Production designer Mark Friedberg breaks down the math that has social media users scratching their heads. The Ark was built to be cubits high, cubits wide, and cubits long.
For those of us who aren’t ancient mathematicians, Friedberg explains that a cubit is the distance between a person’s elbow and their forefinger.
The practical version built for the set was a staggering feet long, which was then extended digitally to reach a mind-blowing feet for the big screen.
The cast is just as obsessed with the build as the fans are. Russell Crowe, who plays the titular Noah, describes the sheer awe of seeing the structure for the first time.
“Harry Potter” alum Emma Watson also weighs in, calling the production a “huge undertaking” as she navigates the massive set.
On X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, fans are marveling at the scale of the project. “I thought this would be all CGI, but seeing the actual wood and structure is insane,” one fan commented.
The footage shows the stars dwarfed by the massive wooden walls of the Ark, emphasizing just how much physical labor went into Aronofsky’s vision.
It’s a bold move for the director, whose first Biblical adventure is already one of the most talked-about films of the season.
By grounding the film in the physical reality of a massive, hand-built ship, the production team seems to be bridging the gap between ancient text and modern cinema.
Whether you’re there for the drama or the craftsmanship, one thing is for sure: this isn’t your Sunday school’s Ark.
Would you like me to look up the official release date for Noah or find more behind-the-scenes clips of Emma Watson on set?
Unexpected Team-Up: Prince William and Emma Watson Unite for Change
Prince William had plenty to celebrate this weekend, but his latest public appearance quickly turned heads for a very different reason. After marking his 44th birthday and Father's Day with his family, the future king returned to royal duties—and made a surprisingly personal confession about the emotional toll of climate change.
William joined Hollywood stars Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at a United for Wildlife forum in London, an initiative he launched with the Royal Foundation in 2013. The organization works around the world to combat wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, and the destruction of endangered species.
But it was William's candid admission about his own fears that stole the spotlight.
The Prince of Wales revealed that climate change has caused him "sleepless nights," admitting he has struggled with anxiety about what the future could look like. Yet instead of allowing those fears to overwhelm him, William said seeing real progress through conservation efforts has helped keep his environmental anxiety under control.
He also delivered a powerful message to business leaders, urging them to become the kind of leaders they admired when they were children. With technology and innovation transforming the world at an incredible pace, William challenged CEOs to use their influence to create meaningful change.
The event launched London Climate Action Week, with more royal appearances expected, including the Earthshot Prize assembly.
Emma Watson also delivered a surprising revelation of her own. The Harry Potter star highlighted the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, pointing out that it produces more emissions than aviation and ranks behind only oil among major polluting industries.
Watson, who is also pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at Oxford, shared a hilarious story about mistakenly believing paparazzi were following her. After spotting photographers with telephoto lenses, she arranged a distraction and escaped through another exit. The twist? They weren't photographing her at all. They were waiting to capture a red kite.
Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch praised William as "a great guy" and urged businesses and individuals to recognize that they can still make a difference, even when global environmental challenges appear overwhelming.
With William, Watson, and Cumberbatch joining forces on the issue, the London forum delivered a clear message: the fight against environmental destruction is becoming impossible for the world's biggest names to ignore.
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